2021 NFL Draft: Post-Super Bowl first-round NFL mock draft
By Ian Higgins
7. player. 50. College Stats. Devonta Smith. Alabama. Scouting Report. WR
After seeing fellow wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase go off the board the selection before, Alabama Heisman-winner Devonta Smith becomes the crown-jewel of a fresh-faced Detroit Lions franchise featuring Jared Goff. Projected to lose the majority of their starting receivers to free agency this offseason, Smith will immediately inherit the pressure of shouldering the offensive load.
Having showcased his superior playmaking ability with the ball in his hands and elite separation in his route-running, Smith is built to be a modern centerpiece to an offense lacking direction. Detroit is entering a potentially lengthy rebuilding phase, meaning Smith will have plenty of opportunities to produce as a rookie.
Oregon. 8. player. Pick Analysis. OT. Penei Sewell. 87. Scouting Report
With a surprise slide outside of the top-five of the 2021 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers find themselves with a plug-and-play replacement for impending free-agency casualty Russell Okung. The most athletically gifted offensive tackle of the draft class, Penei Sewell was a dominant physical presence along the Oregon Duck’s offensive line and has the ability to translate this play to the NFL.
At six-foot-six, 331-pounds, Sewell has elite NFL measurables for the position as well as quick feet to keep pace with bendy edge-rushers. His most attractive trait though is his ability to block downhill in the run game. Seeking out contact off of the snap, Sewell does well to seal the edge on zone runs and quickly moves to the second level to open opportunities for chunk gains by the ballcarrier.
After an offensively disappointing season in the absence of franchise halfback Christian McCaffrey, Carolina could use a centerpiece along the offensive line to not only provide much-needed dominance in run-blocking but also protect the blindside of bridge-quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.