Oregon star offensive lineman Penei Sewell didn’t have to wait long for his named to be called during the 2021 NFL Draft over the weekend. The Detroit Lions selected the beastly guard with the 7th overall pick. But many here in Oregon felt Sewell should have been selected two spots prior, to the Bengals. So, what was the reason Cincinnati decided to pull their trigger on a wide receiver, instead of Sewell?
“He’s not like a finished product,” former pro and Audacy NFL insider Ross Tucker told Dirt and Sprague, this morning. “He’s got a lot of potential, but he’s not there yet, and there’s always a chance he won’t get there.”
Sewell was high on most analysts’ draft boards heading into the final month of draft prep, but sentiment shifted as stock rose for wide receivers.
Tucker felt the Oregon product may have been too risky for the Bengals to pick, considering their lack of weapons at wide receiver. “I can’t tell you how many guys I’ve played with that had all kinds of potential, but they never really became what they could have been,” he said.
“Rare, rare ability.. The combination of size and movement skills… rare ability.”
Most Duck fans have horrible memories of Joey Harrington’s time in Detroit and equate those feelings with how Sewell will play. It’s important to remember an offensive lineman’s ability and success isn’t so contingent on other players. It’s a solemn and individual position that places high stock on individual ability.
CHECK OUT ROSS’ FULL INTEVIEW WITH DIRT AND SPRAGUE IN THE PLAYER ABOVE.
