Penei Sewell works out at the UO's pro day on April 2. Photo by Eric Evans.
The NFL Draft is a tense, nerve-wracking, three-day affair where the country’s top college football players learn their professional futures in front of the nation. Succeed—as Justin Herbert did last year when he was drafted No. 6 overall by the Los Angeles Chargers, before going on to win Rookie of the Year honors—and 15 million fans see the elation on your face when your phone rings.
Slide—as former West Virginia star quarterback and projected top-10 pick Geno Smith did in 2013, stuck in the NFL Draft’s green room until the second round—and just as many see your expressions run from frustration to anger to despair.
No pressure, right?
When the 2021 NFL Draft gets underway on April 29, likely No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence, former quarterback of the Clemson Tigers, won’t have to wait long to hear his name called. Neither will former University of Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell, who may be the first offensive lineman picked.
We’re taking a look at the draft prospects of Sewell and some of his fellow Ducks who are also hoping to hear their names called. You’ll have to wait until April 29, 30, and May 1 to find out how it all shakes out, but in the meantime this preview will make a nice accompaniment to rewatching the Ducks’ 2020 Rose Bowl win.
Disclaimer: if we owned an NFL franchise, we’d assign them all first-round grades and then draft them all, but we also admit we’re fully biased. This is our best guess at projecting where they will actually go.
Penei Sewell - LT
One of the top players overall in the draft, Sewell should be off the board quickly. The unanimous All-American and 2019 Outland Trophy winner as the nation’s best college football interior lineman only gave up one sack in three years. He’s nimble for a 6'6", 331-pound behemoth, and he can open holes for a running back as easily as he gives a quarterback time to throw. With his strength, speed, and smarts he’ll be a quarterback’s best friend, and a defensive lineman or linebacker’s worst nightmare. The good news for Oregon fans is that they won’t have to wait long to hear his name called. The bad news for Oregon fans is that it’s highly unlikely he’ll fall to the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 13 to be reunited with Justin Herbert. The Cincinnati Bengals, who pick fifth overall, sent head coach Zac Taylor and offensive line coach Frank Pollack to Oregon’s pro day, and they likely didn’t make the trip to Eugene because they wanted Prince Puckler’s ice cream. The lone knock on Sewell is that he’s too nice, which sounds rather similar to the knock on Herbert last year. And did we mention Herbert went on to win NFL Rookie of the Year?
Likely options: Cincinnati Bengals (No. 5 overall), Miami Dolphins (No. 6 overall), Carolina Panthers (No. 8 overall), Los Angeles Chargers (No. 13 overall)
Jevon Holland – S
Jevon Holland ended the 2019 season as one of the best safeties in the nation, and sitting out 2020 did not change that too much. Holland is explosive and athletic, and covers the middle of the field well to get to the ball quickly. If you’re a wide receiver, he’s even more unpleasant to deal with than the pollen count in Eugene in the spring. Holland defends the run well, and also has special teams experience. His versatility as a defensive back is as much a part of his appeal as his ability to beat receivers to the ball, and with some NFL teams potentially seeing him as a slot cornerback, he could be a day one starter in the NFL in nickel packages.
Likely options: Second or third round selection by the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team
Thomas Graham Jr – CB
A three-year starter for the Ducks, Graham might have to wait until at least the third round to hear his name called, but whoever selects him will be adding an intelligent player who would’ve entered the 2020 season as the NCAA leader in passes defended among active players. Graham lacks elite speed, but is smart enough to diagnose plays to beat receivers to the ball and will make the tackle when needed. When he gets to the ball at the same time as a wide receiver, he makes life a nightmare for the pass catcher.
Likely options: Third or fourth round selection by the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans
Deommodore Lenoir – CB
Deommodore Lenoir isn’t afraid to mix it up with receivers, and his feistiness led to six interceptions, 154 tackles, and two forced fumbles in his four years in Eugene. The 2020 Pac-12 All-Conference second team member and East-West Shrine Game invitee can play as a boundary corner or in the slot, which would make him a versatile weapon for teams that need depth at defensive back.
Likely options: Fifth round selection or later by the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks
Brady Breeze – S
An in-state favorite who was considered a better prospect than Justin Herbert coming out of Portland’s Central Catholic High School, Breeze was used mainly on special teams during his first two seasons in Eugene. He shone as a junior in 2019 though, making 62 tackles and scoring three touchdowns (two on fumble recoveries, one on an interception) on his way to being named MVP of the Rose Bowl. Breeze isn’t the biggest or fastest safety in the draft, but he’s smart and sees the field well and should hear his name called on day three.
Likely options: Seventh round selection by the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans
Austin Faoliu – DT
An athletic prospect with a lot of potential, Austin Faoliu has the raw tools to succeed. He moves well, and while he may not get drafted, he should get training camp invitations and if he can add a little power to his game could provide depth along someone’s interior defensive line.
Likely options: Undrafted free agent
Hunter Kampmoyer – TE
The quintessential “jack of all trades, master of none,” Hunter Kampmoyer isn’t elite at any one aspect of playing tight end, but is good-to-very good at all of them. Kampmoyer is an intelligent blocker and route runner, and any team looking to add depth at tight end will surely take notice of his special teams contributions.
Likely options: Undrafted free agent
Nick Pickett – S
Nick Pickett has raw talent and while he isn’t the strongest safety in the draft class, he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty on the field. A hoover on the field when the ball is in his vicinity, he won’t be the fastest safety available on draft night, but teams looking for help on the back end will know that when a receiver is in his neighborhood they’ll have a tough time getting away from him.
Likely options: Undrafted free agent
Jordon Scott – DT
“Fat Mac” takes up space in the middle of the defensive line—though not as much space as he used to, after shedding 40 pounds prior to his senior season—and he isn’t afraid to get physical. He started almost every game throughout his UO career, and earned Freshman All-America honors his first season and Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 honors after his sophomore and junior campaigns. Scott may end up going undrafted, but could catch on as a free agent with a team looking for defensive line help on early downs. He’s not going to pile up sacks, but he also won’t let running backs get by him.
Likely options: Undrafted free agent