A first-round draft selection by the Detroit Lions in 2021 could make an impact on the way the 2022 NFL draft will play out.
The Detroit Lions, in need of offensive line depth, selected tackle Penei Sewell with the seventh overall pick in 2021. Sewell was regarded as the top offensive lineman in the draft class and the Lions were fortunate enough to have them fall right into their laps.
The Lions had a complex situation on the offensive line heading into the 2021 season. They had just selected a four-year starter at left tackle but 2016 first-round pick Taylor Decker was already slated to be their starting left tackle.
So instead of moving a proven veteran to a new position, they opted to develop a talented rookie on the right side of the line. Sewell had never played right tackle and would have to learn a whole new position while adapting to the difficulty level of the NFL.
Many fans and people in the media were perplexed by this decision. Sewell was a potential generational talent at left tackle and Detroit’s new coaching staff under Dan Campbell were just going to change his position?
Yes. And it worked.
What many people don’t comprehend is that Sewell and other draft prospects like him are talented athletes who are able to learn and adapt under the skilled coaches in the NFL. No player in the league is perfectly molded into playing just one position. Even then, all Sewell did was move from one side of the offensive line to another – it’s not like he was asked to play an entirely new position.
Sewell went on to start eight games at left tackle while Decker dealt with an injury and finished the season on the right side of the line. What’s most impressive is that he improved when he shifted over to the right side. Sewell earned a 77.0 PFF grade while allowing just five sacks all season. Up against some of the top defenders in the NFL such as Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack, Sewell was able to go toe-to-toe with them and not let them win.
Sewell earned plenty of honors for his debut season, including being named to Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Writers of America’s all-rookie teams. He was also featured on PFF’s top-101 players of 2021 list, ranking at number 66.
Penei Sewell two blocks in one play 😤 pic.twitter.com/nhbwLfr5n5
— PFF (@PFF) November 25, 2021
Now how does this impact what teams might do in the 2022 Draft?
With the first-overall pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars have several talented options to choose from. Many had mocked Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal to the Jaguars for most of the offseason, but the team went on to franchise tag left tackle Cam Robinson and the mock drafts began to change. Now, the chances of the Jaguars taking pass-rusher Aiden Hutchinson, a player that many Lions fans and media want to see in Detroit, have increased.
This is where Sewell’s success on the right side may help the Lions in this draft. Offensive tackle is still a glaring need for Jacksonville, even with Robinson franchise tagged. The Jaguars’ front office should look to how the Lions developed Sewell and do the same with Neal. If they can’t reach a long-term deal with Robinson, then Neal can take over at left tackle in 2023. If a deal is made, then the Jaguars have top-tier talents at both tackle spots for years to come.
The best part of it all is that Hutchinson could fall right into the Lions’ hands and they can come away with this year’s top talent at EDGE.
The moral of the story is that NFL players don’t have a fixed skillset. People need to realize that they are malleable and are under the tutelage of the best and brightest coaches in football. They didn’t make it this far by not adapting to new roles, schemes, and coaches. A top talent is a top talent and passing on an elite lineman because of the side of the line they play on discredits that player’s abilities.
