Former NFL Scout Calls Noah Sewell “A Soft Football Player”

Noah Sewell leaves a lot to be desired on his 2021 game film.

Don’t listen to the hype surrounding this Oregon linebacker (LB), who is the little brother of Detroit Lions’ offensive tackle Penei Sewell.

Instead, watch the three games embedded in this article (below) and see for yourself.

His best attribute is his good (not great) straight-line speed, and it’s because of that he can put together a nice highlight reel.

Outside of that, buyer beware.

Is football important to Sewell?

No.

That’s not my opinion. That’s what he put on game film.

He is too hesitant and he jogged one too many times on active plays.

🚩Sewell looked sorry down by the goal line against Washington, UCLA and Ohio State. He doesn’t have what it takes in the box against the run period🚩

Sewell lacks instincts

I keep reading Sewell has great instincts?

That’s not what I’m seeing.

Consistently, Sewell took a step or two in the wrong direction of the play flow.

He doesn’t have a prayer of overcoming blockers in the box, and he lacks the instincts often to put himself in position to avoid them and move in against the run.

Not a sure tackler

Speaking of tackling, Sewell is not a dependable tackler either.

His tackling skills are not that good.

I couldn’t count how many tackles he missed, or how many shoestring tackles he barely made.

There were also several times the ball carrier (running back or receiver) was able to overcome the initial contact with Sewell and continue on.

Against Ohio State, Sewell came in high when a running back literally ran into him by the line of scrimmage, and he couldn’t secure the tackle.

Not a playmaker in coverage

Yes, he has good (not great) straight-line speed, and he can run all over the field. However, he can only make tackles after catches are made in coverage.

That’s because he lacks short-area burst and his movements look rigid.

It takes effort for Sewell to change direction quickly and that’s what pass routes in the NFL are all about.

He has range, but it’s not good enough even at the college level to make a play on the ball in coverage.

Sewell is not a big time sack artist

Leading up to this season, Sewell put up four sacks in 2021 and two sacks in 2020 at Oregon (21 games played during that time span).

If an NFL team is looking for a defender who can get to the quarterback, Sewell is not it.

He is best when he is left unblocked or comes on a delayed blitz. It is then he is able to disrupt and create pressure.

Sewell just lacks the physical attributes needed to produce a lot of sacks.

#1 Noah Sewell 6-foot-2, 253 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: Fifth Round – Early Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 84.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of October 5, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Washington, UCLA and Ohio State (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 114 tackles (53 solo, 61 assists), 5 passes defended, 4.0 sacks (34 pressures on 98 pass rushes duckswire.usatoday.com)

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Raw linebacker with good straight-line speed. Can drop into zone coverage and has range to get the sidelines to support. Trademark move is lurking near the line of scrimmage and deflecting passes like a volleyball player. Gets pressure on delayed blitzes and when left clean. Lacks burst and ability to quickly adjust in the pocket. Only flashed power against big men. Poor technique and hand usage taking on and shedding blockers on runs. Plays bumper cars in the box and got dominated by linemen. Marginal sifting through the trash. Ends up by the pile a lot and likes to pile on. Often only involved once it reaches his level. No elite or dominant traits. Too lackadaisical.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. How does he look taking on and shedding blocks vs. the run?
2. Is he a pressure player or a sack artist?
3. Does he hesitate or go the wrong direction initially on play flow?
4. How does he look by the goal-line?

Sewell is not the kind of player who will move the meter in the NFL.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.