Detroit Lions land Penei Sewell’s brother in new 2023 mock draft
It’s not really a realistic scenario on the whole, but a new 2023 mock draft has the Detroit Lions landing Penei Sewell’s brother with the second of two first-round picks.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions were overjoyed to land Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell with the seventh overall pick. Entering his second season, he is on his way to becoming one of the best offensive tackles in the league.
As they did this year, thanks to the Matthew Stafford trade the Lions will have two first-round picks in 2023. Cam Mellor of Pro Football Network has put together a 2023 mock, using the site’s draft simulator and fan picks.
The Lions have two top-10 picks in the mock, No. 3 and No. 8. Most Lions fans would say having the third overall pick means the 2022 season didn’t go nearly as hoped. That second first-rounder being top-10, courtesy of the Rams, means Stafford suffered a torn ACL or something.
But I’ll play along.
Lions land Penei Sewell’s brother in PFN’s early 2023 mock
At No. 3 in the PFN mock, as also done recently in a Bleacher Report 2023 mock, the Lions got Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson. At No. 8….
"8) Detroit Lions: Noah Sewell, LB, OregonWith the Lions’ second first-round pick, Detroit fans are selecting Noah Sewell from Oregon the highest among non-quarterbacks. After Stroud (or Young in other cases), the Lions are securing their second level of the defense with Sewell’s selection. Sewell is the younger brother of fellow first-round pick Penei Sewell and may even have as high of a ceiling as his brother. He’s as He’s as instinctual as they come and plays with terrific strength through everything he does."
After a solid run in the truncated 2020 season for Oregon (48 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks in seven games), Sewell had 114 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception and five pass breakups last season. He has gained steam as a possible 2023 first-round pick, and another big season this year would certainly push him toward declaring early for the draft.
The Lions’ linebacking corps will still need an overall talent upgrade next offseason. But pairing Sewell with 2022 sixth-round pick Malcolm Rodriguez is an intriguing idea, and maybe it happens–even it’s not with the second of two top-10 picks next April.
Related Story. 5 Detroit Lions who are certified building blocks for the future. light
Want your voice heard? Join the SideLion Report team!