Oregon football: Penei Sewell is the NFL’s next great left tackle

Oregon football star Penei Sewell is a future NFL star.

Oregon football left tackle Penei Sewell is a likely top-three pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and is getting compared to a Pro Bowler by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah.

Yes, it’s still June, but that hasn’t stopped the 2021 NFL Draft talk from starting. Quarterbacks are once again near the top of early boards with Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, but the best player in college football might be the Oregon tackle who projects to be the next great blindside blocker.

The 6-foot-6, 335-pound tackle was a cornerstone on an offensive line that featured three entrants in the 2020 NFL Draft, including Day 3 picks Shane Lemieux and Jake Hanson.

Sewell may not fall out of the top three picks. Analysts have him in his own tier. Jeremiah took an early look at Sewell and compared him to Tennessee Titans’ left tackle and three-time Pro Bowler Taylor Lewan.

"“Both of them have ideal frames and play with a nasty temperament. Sewell plays with more power, while Lewan was a little more athletic adjusting in space. Lewan has proven to be one of the league’s best offensive tackles when he’s dialed in and focused, making the Pro Bowl in three of his six seasons. I see the same potential for Sewell.”"

The comparisons to Lewan may feel a little slighted towards Sewell, but it’s important to look at the traits and understand the comparison. As Jeremiah notes, both have the finisher mentality and power at the point of attack. Jeremiah even notes that Sewell has more power. There are some athletic limitations with Sewell, but they don’t affect his game much.

Also, Lewan does have three Pro Bowls in six seasons, and while that may not be the best measuring stick, it shows that teams and fans have noticed his game, especially in a smaller market. Three Pro Bowls for a tackle early in his career is still high praise for Sewell’s game.

Could Sewell end up being a better pro than Lewan? Absolutely. Sewell’s been talked about in that generational talent territory, so it seems like analysts already see him at an elite level.

The Sewell hype is warranted. His technique is pass protection is excellent, along with his ability to pull and finish in space. The technique is what separates him from the rest of the class right now, and he has another season to show even more improvement to secure that early pick in 2021. His season will be a fun one to watch as Oregon football looks to win the Pac-12 and make their first appearance in the College Football Playoff.

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