Cowboys 2021 draft positional rankings: Offensive Tackle
By Angel Torres
2 – Penei Sewell
Penei is my third-ranked overall prospect in the entire draft but second on my tackle list. In an effort to confuse you, even more, I do not have the top tackle in my top five overall prospects.
Sewell is high on my list because his athleticism is so elite that I can honestly say I have not seen his movement skills in a lineman, ever. I never thought I would use the change of direction term on a lineman but that is exactly what he can do.
Sewell is a six-foot-five 331-pound behemoth of a man whose athleticism is unrivaled. He has the ability to easily get to the second level and crush his assignment but also has an uncanny ability to peel off of a double team and find another body to pancake.
At this moment, Sewell could slide into a starting lineup and play extremely well.
The reason I have Sewell as the second-best tackle in this draft is that his technique, namely his footwork, needs to be looked at carefully. Sewell has more of a shuffle than a kick slide. The reason I say take a look is that it works for him.
I’m sure there are still technician truthers out there that say Patrick Mahomes shouldn’t have multiple releases and throwing angles but it works for him. Sewell sorta falls in that category also but I have doubts whenever a player moves away from the traditional teachings of football.
The Dallas Cowboys faithful can already see him playing left guard for America’s team. I can also see a scenario where comparisons to Larry Allen will be prematurely unveiled but his play at that position would probably be warranted.
His fiery play and attitude would be needed as much as the inside push he would provide. It is funny to think of a rookie lineman coming into the NFL and punching people back but he absolutely has the ability to do so.
He keeps his head on a swivel but seems to feel the blitz like a sixth sense. Sewell has even turned to pick up a blitz without the defender actually being in his view before the play.
Sewell does tend to lunge at defenders and likes to hit passerby’s before the whistle blows mean he wants to hit people but that excess will have to be reeled in a bit in the NFL.