If you’ve been following NFL draft storylines leading up to Thursday’s first round, you would have already heard about the ridiculous slide of Justin Fields. The Ohio State quarterback was once considered a top-three lock and now he could slide all the way to the middle of the first round, for whatever season.
Could this be a theme on Thursday night with other top prospects?
Every year there seems to be some type of shocking slide happening and Fields looks to be that guy this time around but what would happen if the Bengals passed on Penei Sewell at No. 5?
The top four picks seem to be set in stone with Trevor Lawrence going No. 1, Zach Wilson at No. 2, either Mac Jones or Trey Lance at No. 3, and Kyle Pitts at No. 4. What if the Bengals decided to lock in a receiver like Ja’Marr Chase or DeVonta Smith at No. 5 and pass up the opportunity to take Sewell who is considered by many to be the best lineman in the draft?
A slide could definitely take place, but it may not be as drastic as you may think.
What would a Penei Sewell “slide” look like?
If Sewell doesn’t go at No. 5 to the Bengals, the Dolphins would likely pass him up, too, because they’re looking more for a receiver, running back, or some defensive backfield help. That would bring up the No. 7 overall pick and the Detroit Lions. They would jump at the opportunity to take the top offensive tackle in the draft.
Let’s say the Lions took someone like Rashawn Slater or Christian Darrisaw instead, Sewell would fall right into the Panthers’ laps at No. 8.
Let’s say the Lions and Panthers either passed on him or took different tackles at Nos. 7 and 8. The next team on the radar could be the Broncos. They just added Teddy Bridgewater so they might pass on a quarterback and they need an offensive tackle. If not the Broncos, then the Cowboys would likely snag Sewell at No. 10.
When you’re dubbed a “potential future Hall of Famer”, teams are going to fight to land you, even if you slide past projected landing spots.
Sewell’s slide will see him fall no further than 10th overall to Dallas.