The Atlanta Falcons spending a pick on Penei Sewell out of Oregon to strengthen the offensive line would be a smart move. While he’s a left tackle in the college ranks, Atlanta would be best suited to move him to guard for his pro career. Sewell would be an instant upgrade over James Carpenter—who should be a cap casualty once the cap is finalized for the 2021 season.
OL Penei Sewell, Oregon
6-foot-6, 325 pounds
Stats and Awards
2020: Opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
2019: 14 Games Started at Left Tackle, Outland Trophy winner, Morris Trophy winner, 1st-team All-Pac 12, All-American
2018: 7 Games Started at Left Tackle
Scouting Report
Strengths
Penei Sewell does a ton of things well on the offensive line. Starting in the passing game, he’s able to drop step well and keep his body in proper positioning. His anchor is amazing and strength shows through when someone is trying to bull rush him. He’s able to stop power rushers cold in their tracks and even is able to stand up to the speed-to-power guys too.
He has prototypical size and his raw power makes him a nasty player to go against in the running game. Sewell looks a lot like Eric Winston creating holes, and at times, getting to the second level with ease. In the NFL, this will be a massive strength for him, as he’ll be able to set the edge if he’s a tackle or block a linebacker out of the play if he’s a guard.
On the field, his temperament will remind a lot of Falcons fans of Harvey Dahl. He’s a tough-nosed offensive lineman who is constantly on the attack. He plays right through the whistle and isn’t afraid to mix it up with defensive players from snap to snap. Combined with high football intelligence, this allows him to surprise some blitzing linebackers and knock them around like rag dolls.
Weaknesses
Sewell is a good, but not great athlete. He’s laterally more similar to a Halapoulivaatu Vaitai than a true athlete like Trent Williams at the position in that he wins more with technique than true athleticism. This level of athleticism can hurt when he’s out wide at tackle and hurts his technique when someone truly athletic is lined up across from him.
While he does have positional versatility, playing a left tackle role in a zone scheme may not be his best spot. He’s more of a guard fit for a lot of the wide-zone based teams in the NFL. Missing a year of college football will hurt a lot of evaluations on him too. Opt-outs shouldn’t hurt, but that is something people will keep in mind.
Overview
NFL Stylistic Comparison/Best Case Scenario: Joel Bitonio
Penei Sewell is a great football player, but might be best suited to play guard in the NFL. He’s got potential to be a left tackle for a team for a decade if they run the right kind of scheme for his strengths in the run game and minimize his passing game weaknesses. Playing guard in a zone scheme would be his best fit and he has All-Pro potential there.
How Sewell fits into the Falcons’ plans
While most Falcons fans would despise the idea of taking yet another offensive lineman in the first round of the draft, taking Sewell at No. 4 overall would be brilliant. He’s more of a guard in the Falcons’ scheme than a true tackle, but he’d be a guy playing 1000 snaps a year as the starting guard. He’d instantly be an upgrade at guard over James Carpenter.
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