Lions draft profile: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
It’s a familiar name that carries some serious cache with both Oregon and NFL fans, though this Sewell plays a different position than his Pro Bowl older brother in Detroit.
Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 253 (listed by school)
Sewell turns 21 in April
Sewell arrived on campus and made his presence felt right away. Being the little brother of the star offensive tackle helped, but Noah Sewell quickly proved capable in his own right. He led the team in tackles as a freshman and emerged as a leader in all three seasons with the Ducks.
Sewell started every game before opting out of Oregon’s bowl game and declaring for the draft. His most productive season was 2021, when Sewell racked up 114 total tackles, 8.5 TFLs and four PDs in 14 games. Dropped to 56 total tackles and 5.5 TFLs in 12 games in 2022.
Pros
Big frame that carries his 250+ pounds comfortably
Good straight-line speed and long speed for his size
Active hands and quick closing burst in zone coverage
Very good hand usage to stack and shed blocks in the box
Smart, effective blitzer in the B and C gaps with excellent timing and finishing range
Attacks the ball itself well in both run and pass defense
Great leadership and character
Still just 20 years old and comes from a strong football family
Cons
Stiff lower body that really shows when Sewell is forced to change directions
Frequently runs himself out of the play by overreacting to initial movement (see Colorado and Arizona games in ’22); more of a guesser than an instinct-driven run defender
Falls off tackles instead of wrapping and sinking his weight; often aims too high as a tackler, especially when in pursuit
Often a liability in coverage outside the tackle box and in man coverage; change-of-direction and body control at full speed are both below-average
Poor rate of solo tackles (101 career) vs assisted tackles (114)
He’s basically the same player now he was when he arrived on campus in 2020; his talent appears maxed out already
Overall
Noah Sewell benefits from having older brother Penei as a Pro Bowl right tackle. His college game tape, especially in 2022, calls to mind a different recent Lions player that fans will not like: Jahlani Tavai. He’s an effective between-the-tackles run defender and can handle short-range coverage assignments with the play in front of him. Beyond that, Sewell struggles to finish tackles and lacks the functional athleticism to be more than a reserve at the NFL level.
His 2021 tape was a lot more promising and, combined with his youth and genes, that could get Sewell drafted in the 60-100 overall range. That’s at least two rounds earlier than I’d be comfortable selecting Sewell in Detroit. He’s a much better fit for a team that values size over speed on defense.
