{"id":106157,"date":"2021-03-11T15:30:26","date_gmt":"2021-03-11T20:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=106157"},"modified":"2021-03-11T15:30:26","modified_gmt":"2021-03-11T20:30:26","slug":"cincinnati-bengals-draft-sewell-slater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/03\/11\/cincinnati-bengals-draft-sewell-slater\/","title":{"rendered":"Cincinnati Bengals Draft Revolves Around Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s no secret that the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> draft and free agency periods need to revolve<\/a> around Joe Burrow<\/a>. In particular, they need to find a way to protect their young quarterback from taking hits, especially free shots. However, the team needs to consider the long-term reality of Burrow calling shots in the backfield. Bringing home a top tackle in this year\u2019s draft could set their tone for years to come. While they have serious positional needs<\/a>, it starts with the offensive line, particularly at tackle.<\/span><\/p>\n

The First Cincinnati Bengals Draft Pick Seems Focused on Two Offensive Tackles<\/span><\/h2>\n

When the Cincinnati Bengals draft kicks off with the fifth overall pick in April, there will be a bunch of exciting prospects on the board. However, that list of prospects could be narrowed to two, or even one, by the time Cincinnati\u2019s on the clock. In order to protect Burrow\u2019s health for the future, the two prized offensive tackles could top Cincinnati\u2019s big board. Penei Sewell<\/a> from Oregon and Rashawn Slater<\/a> from Northwestern headline the tackle group this year. Sewell and Slater are both thought to be long-term starters in the league, but they each have pros and cons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Drafting either tackle could be viewed as a risk. Expecting a rookie to start Week 1 of 2021 and keep Burrow upright is a big ask. However, that could change drastically depending on what happens in free agency. If the Bengals sign a free-agent<\/a> tackle like Daryl Williams<\/a> or Riley Reiff<\/a>, it gives them more flexibility. While they would still lean towards Sewell or Slater, it allows the team to develop the prospect at guard. It\u2019s a similar situation to one Andrew Whitworth<\/a> faced with the could in the early stages of his career. Whitworth played three seasons at guard before becoming one of the premier tackles in the NFL. Given the Bengals history of success with that experiment, Sewell or Slater could very well be the next in line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why the Cincinnati Bengals Would Lean Towards Penei Sewell<\/span><\/h3>\n

Ranked as the top tackle in this year\u2019s draft by most, it\u2019s hardly a guarantee that Sewell makes it to the fifth pick. However, with the promising group of quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft, a prospect like Sewell could take a slide<\/a>. Some draft experts view Sewell as a generational type of talent. Sewell\u2019s pro comparisons show the level of praise surrounding the prospect. In The Ringer<\/em>\u2019s draft guide, Sewell is compared<\/a> to Jedrick Wills<\/a> of the Cleveland Browns<\/a>. In a piece released by The Athletic<\/em><\/a>, one scout compared Sewell to Anthony Mu\u00f1oz<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless of the hype, Sewell\u2019s freshman and sophomore tape from Oregon is pretty impressive. Even at 19-years-old, he looked like the best tackle in college football. Sewell opted out of the 2020 season, spending time preparing for the pro game. On one level, it deprives the league\u2019s front offices of important game tape. However, stands to reason that Sewell is spending all of his energy getting ready for professional football. If the Cincinnati Bengals draft Sewell, it could be a ready-made tackle solution to start the year. Further, there are already rumors circulating that Cincinnati is targeting Sewell with the fifth pick. Granted, there\u2019s just no guarantee he falls that far.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Could Rashawn Slater Surprise Everyone by Landing Inside the Top-Five Picks?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Most mock drafts won\u2019t include Rashawn Slater falling within the top-five, let alone top-ten picks. However, his status is rising and after an impressive pro day at Northwestern, he really displays his unique size and power. Further, highly-respected draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranks Slater as his top tackle<\/a>, even ahead of Sewell. While he\u2019s not the tallest mountain of a tackle, he has long arms and can\u2019t easily be moved by edge rushers. Slater\u2019s landmark moment comes from a dominant match against Chase Young<\/a>. While the Buckeyes beat the Wildcats, Young was incapable<\/a> of getting around Slater all game long.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Rashawn Slater Pro Day:<\/p>\n

\u2022 HT: 6042
\u2022 WT: 304
\u2022 Arm: 33\u201d
\u2022 40: 4.88 \/ 4.94
\u2022 10-yard split: 1.68
\u2022 Bench: 33 reps
\u2022 3 Cone: 7.48<\/p>\n

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) March 9, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n