Penei Sewell is a beast. It's not possible to put it more simply.
Sewell's arrival in the NFL draft was a huge win for the Detroit Lions. Many mock drafts showed Sewell heading to the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Cincy chose the sizzle and drafted a wide receiver at number 5. The Lions selected the man many experts call the next Anthony Munoz, two picks later. Munoz, a nine-time All-Pro left tackle with the Bengals in 1980s, stated before the draft that he would like to see Sewell taken by his former team.
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That didn't happen. The Lions gladly intervened to prevent Sewell from further falling in the draft. In their history, the Lions have not been known for making consistently competent decisions. Apart from the obvious choices of Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders, Detroit has made too many mistakes. You can also add Matthew Stafford to this list if you wish. Sewell, however, is a different story and will in a few more years be on the same page.
Sewell has delivered on his promises in his two professional starts with the Lions. Sewell is used in exceeding expectations. Pro Football Focus reports that Sewell has not allowed a single sack since 2018 at Oregon.
This feat is remarkable regardless of Sewell's decision to opt out of 2020 college football season. Sewell will begin his NFL career in the same manner he finished his college career with Ducks: by defending the left tackle position from outside pass rushers. Sewell's combination of speed, agility, and active hands set him apart from other linemen.
Sewell was a Ducks offensive line starter for two seasons and gave up one sack in 1,376 snaps. As mentioned, that one sack was during Sewell's freshman year in 2018. He is a perennial All-Pro. If you are looking for blind-side tackles, I don't see why you wouldn't take Sewell (Bengals). I don't like teams drafting wide receivers within the top five, unless they are a rare talent that is impossible to miss. I will take a pass rusher or left tackle who is equally well-respected over a receiver every single time.
Sewell will be in the league for a while shutting down pass rushers. I hope that the Lions will continue to make great draft decisions in the coming years, following up on Sewell's drafting. Detroit fans are loyal and deserve to see their Lions win more than one season each decade.
