Panthers pass on Penei Sewell for another OT in recent mock
By Dean Jones
The Carolina Panthers could pass on Penei Sewell in favor of another offensive tackle at No. 8 overall, according to a recent 2021 NFL mock draft.
We are officially in speculation season when it comes to the 2021 NFL Draft. Teams are scouring the next batch of college recruits to identify prospects that can make a difference both in the short and long-term, which also applies to the Carolina Panthers after they struck gold with the majority of their 2020 class.
If the Carolina Panthers can do the same again this time around despite the evaluation process looking completely different due to COVID-19, then it might make all the difference in their pursuit of returning to the postseason discussion in the second year of head coach Matt Rhule’s tenure.
Rhule got a good chance to get up close and personal with some talented players at the Senior Bowl, which the former Baylor man stated was an “unbelievably invaluable” experience and one that’s undoubtedly benefitted Carolina’s thought process for the big weekend this spring.
Mock drafts are in full swing across the nation as writers and fans try and distinguish what teams across the league are going to do with their respective picks. The Panthers are clearly looking to upgrade their quarterback position this offseason. But with the top three prospects set to come off the board by No. 8 overall, it might see them explore other avenues for their signal-caller.
Lance Zierlein, who is a senior draft analyst at NFL.com, had an interesting take on what Carolina is going to do with their first-rounder. In his Mock Draft 1.0 published this week, he had the Panthers taking Northwestern offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, even with Oregon’s stud Penei Sewell still on the board.
"“While some believe Oregon’s Penei Sewell has the higher potential upside, Rashawn Slater is a low-risk, high-yield lineman who has five-position flexibility up front, a great deal of play strength and pro polish to his game.”"
Could the Carolina Panthers pass on Penei Sewell?
To say this would be a gamble is something of an understatement. There is nothing wrong with Slater, who looks like he’s going to be a prominent starting edge protector at the next level. But the simple fact is Sewell could be the best tackle prospect to enter the league in a generation.
Maybe analysts like Zierlein forgot about Sewell’s supreme talent after he opted-out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 health concerns.
An out of sight, out of mind process, if you will.
However, this is a player who was so dominant in 2019 that he received a second-placed Heisman Trophy vote. Sewell has all the attributes needed to make a significant impression from the word go and his ceiling could be All-Pro once he fully acclimatizes to the pro ranks.
It is going to take a brave team to pass on Sewell with a need at the position. Zierlein eventually mocked him to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 10, which would be nothing short of astonishing.
Realistically speaking, Sewell shouldn’t make it out of the top-five. The Jets and Dolphins are both candidates to take the lineman at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. But if he somehow makes it past the Bengals at No. 5, then the Panthers would be in-play.
This would be a dream scenario and an opportunity Carolina shouldn’t pass up. A tandem of Sewell and Taylor Moton – providing the stud right tackle is extended – would give the Panthers a bookend edge presence they haven’t had for some time and is sure to aid whoever is taking snaps under center.