Thursday, April 29, 2021

2021 Draft Grades and Analysis

Round 1 OT Penei Sewell:

Grades:

NFL.com Reuter ( OT Penei Sewell (No. 7 overall) (Grade - A+) - Analysis: There was no doubt in my mind that the Lions would jump at the chance to draft Sewell. I view him as a future All-Pro who will make new quarterback Jared Goff feel much more at home in Detroit. Offensive linemen that weigh 330 pounds simply aren't supposed to move like Sewell does.  He doesn't have plus length for the position, but you're not getting around this guy very easily. The Lions can play Sewell at either tackle spot. It had to be a no-brainer for the team -- and their palpable excitement visible in the draft room after the pick was made showed they were thrilled.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-day-1-quick-snap-grades-for-all-32-teams

SI (7. OT Penei Sewell (Grade -A+):  Sewell opted out of the 2020 season after one of the most impressive campaigns ever at left tackle from a 19-year-old. When looking at uncoachable traits at the position, the Oregon prospect has them all: athleticism, dominant strength and balance. With NFL coaching he can become a premier blindside protector for years to come.  This is a best player available pick for Detroit, who could not pass up on Sewell's talent. Expect him to be the starting left tackle early on. His demeanor fits what the new Lions regime is looking for. -- LL):   https://www.si.com/nfl/2021-draft-tracker

Walter Football (7. Detroit Lions Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon - A+ Grade.  I imagine the Lions are shocked that Penei Sewell made it past both the Bengals and Dolphins. This is a no-brainer selection. It could be argued that Sewell was the best player not named Trevor Lawrence in this class. Detroit has a huge hole at tackle, which Sewell will fill very nicely. Detroit's next quarterback - probably someone from next year's draft - go here for my 2022 NFL Mock Draft - will be thrilled to have Sewell blocking for him. ):  https://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades.php

SI Lions Grading Lions' Selection of Penei Sewell (Grade - A+):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/grading-lions-pick-penei-sewell

Sporting News (7. Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon - Grade: A.  The Lions were a good bet to take the best player available for their total rebuild under GM Brad Holmes. Taylor Decker is still at left tackle, but he's getting older and Sewell can start and immediately upgrade right tackle with Halapoulivaati Vaitai moving to guard. He's smooth in pass protection and also a long-term rock for the running game.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-grades-2021-live-picks-results/12vn4s61xusn71cix3t8h0lv7k

Foxsports Rob Rang (7. Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon, 6-6, 325 - Rang's grade: The most physically dominant offensive lineman in the Pac-12 since the Dallas Cowboys' perennial Pro Bowler Tyron Smith was manning the left tackle spot at USC, Sewell is a mauler at the point of attack with rare size, strength and agility. With the investment made in new quarterback Jared Goff, the Lions had to protect and they just added the best blocker in the draft. Folks, despite what some have argued, the gap between Sewell and the other linemen in this class is significant. Sewell is one of the true blue chips of this class, and those are exceedingly rare on the offensive line. Grade: A):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/live-grades-analysis-for-every-first-round-pick-in-the-2021-nfl-draft

Lions Wire Instant analysis and grade for the Lions selecting Penei Sewell (Grade:  A):  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2021/04/29/instant-analysis-and-grade-for-the-lions-selecting-penei-sewell/

Athlonsports (7. Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon:  Jared Goff was not a QB who dealt with pressure well and the Lions have had plenty of issues up front. Sewell helps in both areas and the Detroit gets a youngster just scratching the surface of what he can do. New coach Dan Campbell will love the Oregon product's competitiveness and the way he finishes blocks. In terms of being a safe pick, this is a pretty good one in the Motor City and one of the few you would feel comfortable in predicting will be an All-Pro for many years to come.  Grade: A):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/2021-nfl-draft-grading-first-round-picks

Pride of Detroit - Grading the Detroit Lions’ selection of Penei Sewell (Overall:  A-):  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/4/29/22411043/grading-the-detroit-lions-selection-of-penei-sewell

PFN (Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon - Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields fell to Detroit’s selection, giving them an opportunity to select a high-upside passer. Instead, the Lions decided to bolster their offensive line by selecting Sewell.  Ultimately, selecting a potential franchise quarterback without having to trade up might have been the better long-term option. Nevertheless, Sewell is the class’ bonafide top tackle prospect. He’s athletic, instinctive, powerful, and he’s only 20 years old. With no clear-cut starter at right tackle, the Lions now have one of the better tackle duos in the league.  Spending early capital on the line is never a bad idea. Still, given that the Lions could have kicked off their rebuild with a quarterback, their grade gets bumped down just a hair.  Grade: A-):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-grades-2021/

CBS Prisco (7. Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon - Grade: B+.  They probably thought he wouldn't be here, so they had to be happy he was. Sewell has a ton of talent and will upgrade that line in a big way.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-grades-picks-live-tracker-analysis-for-every-first-round-selection/

Yahoo Edholm (7. OT Sewell (Grade - B+):   Eric Edholm's Commentary - The Lions are set at left tackle with Taylor Decker, but Sewell could be the Day 1 starting right tackle — at age 20. He won’t turn 21 until a few weeks into the season, and there could be an adjustment to a new position (though he did play right tackle all throughout high school) and NFL-caliber speed rushers. But the upside here is tremendous. New GM Brad Holmes is building the infrastructure first. The glitz can come later.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-nfl-draft-round-1-instant-grades-041050133.html

Lions draft Penei Sewell: Instant analysis of the No. 7 pick (Grade: B. I love Sewell as much as any player in this class, but this is a really interesting decision for the Lions, as they are frightfully thin at receiver, and even in a deep class, that could be a problem for Jared Goff. New offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn loves to be creative in the run game, and Sewell can certainly help with that, but this pick does give one a second of pause.):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/04/29/lions-draft-penei-sewell-instant-analysis-of-the-no-7-pick/

Touchdown Wire 2021 NFL draft: Analysis and grades for all 32 first-round picks (7. OT Penei Sewell, offensive tackle, Oregon.  Analysis: One of the hardest things for me to do in this pre-draft process was deciding who my OT1 was in this class. If I had gone with Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater, it would have been fine, and I think there are things Slater does better than Sewell. But Sewell ultimately rose to the top because I think he’s more technically evolved, and he’s able to do more things because of it. You don’t often describe offensive tackles as “creative,” but I’d use that word in Sewell’s case, because his athletic profile simply allows his team to implement concepts one wouldn’t dare to attempt with a more limited player — and most tackles are more limited than Sewell is already.  Grade: B. I love Sewell as much as any player in this class, but this is a really interesting decision for the Lions, as they are frightfully thin at receiver, and even in a deep class, that could be a problem for Jared Goff. New offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn loves to be creative in the run game, and Sewell can certainly help with that, but this pick does give one a second of pause.):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2021-nfl-draft-analysis-and-grades-for-all-32-first-round-picks/

FTW NFL Draft Tracker: Grading every pick in the first round (7.  Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon - The Lions probably got the best player available, but it’s so damn weird that this team had a top QB prospect sitting there for the taking and didn’t bite. That’s gonna bring the grade down a bit, but Sewell is going to be a star, so I can’t be too harsh. The Oregon product is an athletic freak with good technique and a crazy-high ceiling. He’ll have to improve his pass blocking but there’s no reason to think he won’t.  Grade: B):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-tracker-grading-every-pick-in-the-first-round

Freep Carlos Monarrez - Lions grade for drafting Penei Sewell: D; why no playmaker?:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2021/04/29/detroit-lions-draft-grade-penei-sewell/7385976002/

Draft Analysis:



Recap: NFL Draft Day 1 selections with pick-by-pick analysis (7. Detroit Lions — OT Penei Sewell, Oregon:  The Lions make a pick that's on the safer side, but a solid pick nonetheless. It's hard to imagine a few months back that Sewell would be available for the Lions at seventh-overall, but the run on wide receivers leading up to their pick certainly helped.  With all of the speculation surrounding Detroit's pick — and if it would even be made at all, with a trade-back on the table — the Lions get the top offensive lineman in the draft.  The Lions haven't finished with a top-10 run game in ages, and this will further aid the effort to turn D'Andre Swift into a dangerous playmaker while helping keep new quarterback Jared Goff upright, even if he has nobody to throw to for now.):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2021/04/29/live-updates-nfl-draft-day-1/4885300001/

NFL.com Bucky Brooks (7. OT Penei Sewell:  The big dancing bear is the prototypical tackle offensive coaches covet in a blindside protector. Sewell snuffs out elite rushers off the edge while also displaying the strength and power to move defenders off of the ball. With the Oregon product considered a scheme-friendly fit for any system, it is not a surprise that he is one of the first players to come off the board.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-bucky-brooks-pick-by-pick-analysis-for-round-1 

PFF (7. OT Penei Sewell - Pick Grade:Very Good.  Penei Sewell slid a bit but falls right to the Lions, who find someone to protect new quarterback Jared Goff. Sewell is a hyper-athletic tackle who gobbles up pass rushers and moves in the open field like no one at his size should. His 95.8 PFF grade in 2019, the last season he played college football, is even more impressive because he was only 19 years old at the time. Sewell could be a Lions tackle for the next decade.):  https://www.pff.com/draft/tracker

ESPN (7. OT Penei Sewell - Pre-Draft Analysis:  Sewell has the foot speed to reach defenders as a zone blocker and generate push when he keeps his pads down in a power-heavy scheme. He has shorter arms for an elite offensive tackle prospect, but he gets set quickly and tends to land his punch. -- Steve Muench.  Post-Draft Analysis:  Left tackle Taylor Decker is coming off a great season and Detroit has other pressing needs, so general manager Brad Holmes could have gone in another direction. However, the Lions ranked 10th in sacks allowed and 30th in rushing offense last season, and Sewell is the best offensive lineman in the draft. Taking that kind of talent here and figuring out the lineup later makes sense. -- Muench):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/rounds

PFN Tony Pauline (7. Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon (Pauline’s Ranking: #3 (OT01) | Scouting Report) - Pauline: The Lions get a great bargain in Sewell — the draft’s best offensive lineman. He comes with great upside and should be the Lions’ starting left tackle for the next decade. ):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-tracker-2021-live-analysis-insight-from-tony-pauline/

USA Today (7. Detroit Lions – OT Penei Sewell, Oregon:  The first pick of the new regime in Motown is Sewell, who won the Outland Trophy at age 19 in 2019 before opting out last year. A 6-5, 331-pounder, Sewell moves shockingly well for a man his size and will likely force Detroit OT Taylor Decker to the right side. This pick also signals a new philosophy in Detroit, where new coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn want to run the ball, something this franchise hasn't done effectively since Barry Sanders retired more than two decades ago.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2021/04/29/nfl-draft-tracker-2021-first-round-live-picks-analysis/7390629002/

Posted by LionsFan at 10:19 PM

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