Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon: 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Noah Sewell was a highly touted prospect coming into the year. Did he live up to it in 2022? Let’s check the scouting report.

Name: Noah Sewell
Position: Linebacker
School: Oregon
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 254 lbs

Background: Noah Sewell was a 5 star prospect out of high school, and is the younger brother of Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell, who also played at the University of Oregon. In his collegiate career, Sewell was recognized as the PAC-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2020, was a First Team All-PAC-12 selection in 2021, and was a Second Team All-PAC-12 selection in 2022. Sewell was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award each of the last two seasons.

As a freshman, Sewell recorded 48 total tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble in just seven games. In his second season, his numbers jumped to 114 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles in 14 games. As a sophomore in 2022, his stats regressed to 56 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception over 12 games.

Noah Sewell 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Strengths

• Sewell is an incredibly physical and strong player at the linebacker position, and uses his body to gain leverage on interior offensive lineman as well as smothering smaller ball carriers.
• Despite his size, Sewell is above average in pass coverage, especially against flat/out route patterns, running backs coming out of the backfield, and any receiver running a shallow crossing route.
• Sewell is aggressive in the open-field, serving as a punishing tackler when first to the ball-carrier, and often goes for the ball as a secondary tackler.
• Has patient footwork immediately after the snap and rarely takes any false steps, usually waiting to see the routes and/or gaps develop that he is responsible for.
• Plays effectively as an extra pass rusher, either blitzing off the ball or lining up outside of the 5-technique, and wins with a combination of power, length, and a quick inside spin move. He will beat a running back if assigned to him in pass protection.
• For a larger linebacker, Sewell flips his hips well when covering deeper routes over the middle of the defense.
• Has a strong initial punch against offensive linemen looking to block on the second level, and usually uses his athleticism to escape such blocks.
• Above average quarterback spy, and knows when to blitz as a spy when the quarterback starts to deep roll out either left or right.
• Plays with good eye discipline, especially as a zone coverage defender watching the quarterback.

Weaknesses

• Sewell’s aggressiveness often gets him in trouble, as he frequently takes poor angles in the open field, especially on the.
• As a tackler, Sewell has a habit of trying to bring down ball carriers with his hands and not his body, often resulting in broken tackles or tackles that still result in extra yardage for the offense.
• Gets misdirected frequently by motion and play action passes, often leaves himself susceptible to down blocks or a pulling interior lineman, as well as routes over top of him in the passing game.
• Frequently gets blocked by offensive line, tight ends, and even receivers in the quick pass and screen games.
• Often looses his responsibility when the play takes him far outside of the defensive tackle box.
• Sometimes turns into a looper as a pass rusher, which usually results in him effectively taking himself out of the play.
• Frequently slowed as a pass rusher by chip blocks from tight ends and running backs.

Projection and Fit

Noah Sewell will likely be selected on the second day of the NFL Draft, either in the second or third round. As a player, Sewell fits perfectly on a defense that runs a 4-3, as he would perform at his best in a scheme that allows him to play off the ball with the versatility of being an interior linebacker or an additional pass rusher. Many teams could use a player with Sewell’s physical traits, but teams such as the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Las Vegas Raiders appear to be more ideal fits schematically.

Pro Comp: Demario Davis