Could the Atlanta Falcons draft Penei Sewell in the first round?

Oregon’s Penei Sewell could be the Falcons offensive line’s crown jewel.

The Falcons’ offensive line has gone through a transition period in recent years and needs an immediate impact player like Penei Sewell. In recent years, the retirements of Andy Levitre, Chris Chester, and Ryan Schraeder left the team needing to find three new starters in a short space of time.

The Atlanta Falcons draft strategy in 2019 prioritized upgrading the right side of the line, spending first-round picks on Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary, but the unit is yet to hit its potential.

Matt Ryan was hit a league-high 66 times in 2020 and ended the season as the fifth most sacked quarterback in the NFL. There were many reasons for this – the Falcons passed more than any other team, and Dirk Koetter’s play-calling was among the least impressive in the league – but an upgraded offensive line could lead to big improvements for the offense.

Penei Sewell has started at left tackle for the Oregon Ducks in every game he’s been available for since he joined the team as a freshman.

In 2019, he became the first sophomore to win the Outland Trophy, the award given to college football’s best lineman (with both offensive and defensive linemen eligible).

With The First Pick’s Cory Kinnan wrote a glowing review of Sewell, when trying to articulate where he wins:

"Where doesn’t Sewell win?A near-perfect prospect, Sewell wins with his hands with frequency, he shows the discipline and focus to land his punch and follow through directly into the chest of his opponent to compromise his base. He packs a powerful initial punch and latch follow through, showing a willingness to finish in the run game to clear running lanes"

If the Atlanta Falcons draft Sewell, then it will have to be off the strength of his 2018 and 2019 performances. Like many other top prospects, Sewell opted out of the 2020 college football season due to the ongoing pandemic.

Penei Sewell is expected to be the first offensive tackle taken in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Jake Matthews has done nothing to suggest the Falcons should move on from him at left tackle. Kaleb McGary improved on his rookie season but is still a work-in-progress at right tackle. McGary has the mean streak that offensive line coaches love to see from their guards, but he’s 6-foot-7 and would be comfortably the tallest player in the league at a spot that places a heavy emphasis on leverage.

The Falcons tried that once before with Garrett Reynolds and, while his height wasn’t the main reason for his failures, that says more about the masses of other flaws to his game.

In a film session, analyst Voch Lombardi pointed out several instances when Sewell played too passively for his liking when pass blocking in space. While Lombardi showed confidence that Sewell could develop this side of his game, he suggested that he’d like to see him do so while playing guard.

If the Atlanta Falcons draft Sewell then this progression plan would fit perfectly for them. James Carpenter could be a cap casualty and, even if he isn’t, Sewell will prove an upgrade from day one. He could learn the ropes at left guard before taking over from Jake Matthews when his contract expires in a few years.

His powerful hands allow him to dominate defenders when reaching the second level in the run game. At the same time, his physical talents could translate perfectly to playing inside, where he’d be able to win in confined spaces.

Should the Atlanta Falcons draft Penei Sewell?

New general manager Terry Fontenot will want to make sure that he hits with his first draft pick. At only 20 years old, the sky is the limit for Sewell and, if the Atlanta Falcons draft him, he could be a key player on their offensive line for a decade or more.

His footwork and mobility are outstanding for a man of his size, and he has excelled on zone blocking plays, showing an advanced understanding of his assignments. The fact that he has been one of the top offensive linemen in the nation since turning 18 should excite coaches.

Arguments can be made about whether the fourth overall pick is too early to pick a guard, but it’s only too early to pick a bad guard. Quenton Nelson, Zack Martin, and Brandon Scherff were all taken early and have more than justified the draft capital.

Sewell would instantly upgrade the Falcons’ pass protection, helping keep Matt Ryan on his feet, and is a good enough run blocker, especially on outside zone plays, that the running game could become a strength of the team.

The ability to run the ball effectively, for the benefit of moving the ball and running down the clock, would have prevented the Falcons’ embarrassing 4-12 finish.

New head coach Arthur Smith will want to put his stamp on the offense, and Sewell could be the quickest way to see an improvement.