The Lions were a beneficiary of the early run on quarterbacks and the Bengals going with Ja’Marr Chase when they were able to select Oregon’s Penei Sewell — the best offensive tackle in the draft with the seventh overall selection. It was a no brainer for the Lions who wasted really no time making the selection after it was speculated they would trade out of the pick heading into tonight.
Sewell all of a sudden making that slight slide seemingly changed the game for the Lions — something you can’t blame them for when you have a legit top three talent starring you in the face at No. 7.
However, not everyone was a fan of the selection, which included professional contrarian Carlos Monarrez who was totally cool with giving the pick a “D” citing the need to take a “playmaker” when you have a top 10 selection.
Grade: D
Why: Remember grades are for the pick, not the player. Sewell is a fine player won the Outland Trophy in 2019. But there’s a reason Cincinnati, which has a worse offensive line that gave up more sacks last year than the Lions, passed on him. The top 10 should be reserved for elite playmakers. The Lions get a D because they either should have traded down or selected Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith or Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
Nonetheless, Monarrez has proven himself once again to be a fucking moron much like the Bengals in this sense. Ironically enough Monarrez uses the Bengals to justify his stance while proving the opposing point when bringing up Joe Burrow.
Carlos, even if you DK Metcalf at wideout and Christian McCaffrey in the backfield, if you can’t keep your QB upright it doesn’t matter. Case in point Joe Burrow who was lost for the rest of the season with a torn ACL after getting hit during a game against Washington last season.
Right now, probably the biggest knock against Sewell is he won’t turn 21 until the fall which means the guy is still somewhat raw but goddamn… the guy could great.
