The Draft Network recently re-drafted the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, so how did the Detroit Lions come out?
Hindsight is always 20-20, even only a year after an NFL Draft as we try to determine hits and misses. The Detroit Lions are definitely happy with their selection of offensive tackle Penei Sewell with the seventh overall pick last year, even if Sewell himself doesn’t think it was good enough.
But could the Lions have gone another direction and done even better? Some fans may lament not taking the Carolina Panthers’ trade offer for Matthew Stafford, which would’ve given Detroit the eighth overall pick last April and a chance at Defensive Rookie of the Year lock Micah Parsons.
The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler recently re-drafted the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, with some interesting picks as well as some picks that were the same as the actual result.
2021 NFL Draft re-do: What did the Detroit Lions do?
In Fowler’s re-draft scenario, he has the Lions taking an offensive tackle seventh overall.
"7. LionsRashawn Slater, OT, NorthwesternOne of the most dominant tackles in football this year, although Penei Sewell was—at times—outstanding, Slater was an immovable wall throughout the season. An uber-athletic prospect, Slater has been everything scouts thought he would be."
Slater was an instant difference maker as a rookie, protecting the blindside of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert after they took him No. 13 overall. Among rookie tackles he was the only one better than Sewell (ranked by Pro Football Focus, or otherwise).
Quite a few teams wish they’d taken Slater with their pick before the Chargers took him (even if Panthers head coach Matt Rhule recently unveiled his pre-draft doubt about Slater being a guard or a tackle). That said, the Lions got a gem at the same position and surely don’t carry any regret for taking Sewell.
Where did Sewell go in Fowler’s re-draft of the 2021 first round? To the Chargers at No. 13, of course.