Could the Minnesota Vikings move up in the 2021 NFL Draft to get their hands on stud left tackle Penei Sewell?
There does appear to still be some concern regarding the Minnesota Vikings from a protection standpoint despite a strong free agency period this offseason.
Cutting ties with Riley Reiff was seen as a necessary evil in the current financial climate for the Vikings. But how they replace him will be vital to their chances of making the playoffs once again in 2021.
It would be a huge surprise if the Vikings didn’t address this need early during the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. This is set to be a deep class for offensive linemen that Minnesota would be wise to take advantage of, with one prospect undoubtedly standing out from the rest.
Penei Sewell is arguably the best tackle entering the NFL in a generation. His production in 2019 with Oregon earned the player Heisman Trophy votes and although he opted out of the 2020 campaign due to COVID-19 health concerns, a dominant showing at his Pro Day this year did nothing to dispel the notion he’s going to be a top edge protector at the next level.
The Vikings don’t have a second-round pick in the 2021 draft after the ill-fated Yannick Ngakoue trade last season. But if Sewell is Minnesota’s player of interest, general manager Rick Spielman has been known to make deals like this happen if he thinks it will benefit the team.
The Vikings would probably need to make a deal with the Miami Dolphins at pick No. 6 in the first round if the Cincinnati Bengals decide to reunite quarterback Joe Burrow with his former LSU teammate, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, with the No. 5 pick.
So what are some reasons why Minnesota should at least explore the possibility of trading up to land Sewell?
An area of need for Minnesota
Riley Reiff performed well for the Vikings in 2020, but the financial savings involved with his early release made the player’s departure almost inevitable. Now the organization will be tasked with finding an adequate replacement, which Penei Sewell would undoubtedly be if they went in this particular direction.
Minnesota does have the option of slotting Ezra Cleveland to left tackle after the rookie showed signs of promise on the interior late last season. However, there is no guarantee Cleveland is ready for such a responsibility, and the Vikings cannot afford to get this decision wrong if they want to realistically wrestle the NFC North crown from the Green Bay Packers in 2021.
The cost to move up at least eight spots in the first round to get a chance to land Sewell won’t be cheap for Minnesota. But the window of opportunity where winning is concerned with Kirk Cousins under center is shrinking with every passing year.
Couple this with the increasing pressure on head coach Mike Zimmer to turn things around after a disappointing season overall that was due in no small part to a 1-5 start, and a move such as this is not out of the realm of possibility.
Putting Sewell opposite Brian O’Neill would give the Vikings an exceptional bookend presence that might make all the difference in their quest for postseason football in 2021.
Sewell is a generational talent
Simply put, players like Penei Sewell don’t grow on trees. The left tackle was one of college football’s most dominant forces in 2019 and there appears to be little doubt this can continue once he gets to the professional ranks.
It’s easy to forget that Sewell is still just 20-years-old. His aggressiveness and accomplished technique defy both his age and size, with exceptional mobility being another eye-catching trait that is sure to go down extremely well with NFL scouts once they put on the tape.
Considering the expected run of quarterbacks set to come off the board in the first few selections of this year’s draft, Sewell is projected by many to drop to the Bengals at pick No. 5. They have a big decision to make between the tackle and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. So if they choose the latter, there is a real opportunity for the Vikings to trade up if they think it’s a chance worth taking.
Striking a deal with the Dolphins at pick No. 6 would ensure Minnesota moves past the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers, who could both use help with their edge protection. Sewell is only just scratching the surface of what he is truly capable of, and although it’s going to come with some significant compensation, the Vikings would be getting a generational talent with an All-Pro ceiling in return.
High stakes for Minnesota in 2021
The 2021 season is a crossroads for the Vikings. They are coming off a campaign where they missed the playoffs despite recovering well following the bye week. If the same thing happens again in 2021, it might result in some big changes across the board.
One man who is going to be on the chopping block is Mike Zimmer. Minnesota’s head coach is still highly respected in league circles, and his players love him, but another year languishing in mediocrity might force the team’s hand to go in a different direction.
The same applies to Rick Spielman, a general manager who has made some impressive signings during free agency this year that should see some progress on the defensive side of the ball. However, if a franchise left tackle isn’t found in the coming weeks for the Vikings, it could have serious ramifications.
That’s why a bold move for Penei Sewell – if he makes it past the Bengals – should be considered. Minnesota would need to act fast, of that there is little doubt. Other teams will also have their eye on the prospect, so a decisive offer in the Dolphins’ direction could solidify one of the most important positions on the field for the next decade.
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If fans don’t think Sewell is worth it, then to quote the player himself, just “put on the tape.”