Alabama Football: Tide breaks record in final NFL Mock Draft
By Dakota Cox
7. Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Penei Sewell would be the steal of the draft if he falls outside of the top 5. He is insanely talented at a vital position, but quarterbacks will go ahead of him. With the chance to get a top-tier receiver, teams like Cincinnati and Miami might pass as well.
Detroit needs a receiver more than anyone, but it doesn’t make sense to take WR3 when Sewell is still on the board. Thanks to the Matthew Stafford trade, they have capital over the next few years. That means that they can simply take the best player available now and slowly rebuild over time.
The Lions also have a history of wasting talented players at skill positions. Megatron and Barry Sanders left the game early because of Detroit, and the new regime hasn’t proven yet that they can develop a receiver.
Sewell is close to being a can’t-miss prospect, and the Lions need to protect Jared Goff. They could take a receiver in the second round after this, which would be a great value.
This could also be a potential option for a team to trade up in the actual 2021 NFL Draft. Two quarterbacks are still on the board, and the Lions don’t have to worry about taking a quarterback this season after trading for Goff. Teams like the Patriots and Bears should be on the phone trying to slide up.