NFL Draft Rumors: Is Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell overrated?

Penei Sewell
Apr 20, 2019; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) blocks a defender during the Oregon spring game at Autzen Stadium. Mighty Oregon beat Fighting Ducks 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

If you’ve been paying attention to the 2021 NFL draft landscape this summer, you’re very familiar with Oregon offensive tackle, Penei Sewell. The mammoth blindside protector is considered by many to be the top non-quarterback in the class. There’s even a suggestion he could be the No. 1 overall pick by the time April rolls around.

That’s always seemed a bit rich for my taste, and according to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, I might not be alone.

Miller tweeted Thursday that there are some talent evaluators who have questions about Sewell’s game moving forward.

“As I dig in and evaluated OTs this summer, one thing I heard often (much more than expected) from scouts is that Penei Sewell isn’t entrenched as OT1,” Miller tweeted. “Sources pointed to lack of length and play strength as concerns.”

Miller was quick to note that Sewell is his top offensive tackle and that he’s just the messenger for these Sewell takes. We don’t know who Miller spoke with about Sewell, nor do we know if the scouts who have lower-than-expected grades on the consensus top lineman in the draft are even on an NFL team’s payroll. But it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there’s some hesitation to crown the Duck as the undisputed king at his position.

This always happens. And I mean, always. Players who are easy evaluations also become easy targets for criticism. It gets boring to say a player is the best at their position, month after month. As a result, scouts begin looking for flaws rather than just accept the reality that a player is an easy (albeit boring) final grade.

Sewell is a first-round pick. He’s a top-10 pick. Whether he becomes the first non-quarterback drafted depends as much on the competition for that title as it does on Sewell. But one thing’s for sure: he’s going to be one of the premier blue-chip players in next year’s draft no matter what anonymous scouts say.

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

Follow him on Twitter: @BryanPerezNFL