Simple Question What's Your Answer and Reason

[CJD]

I chose Sewell because we have a QB coming off a terrible injury directly caused by our Oline's incompetence in 2020. To this point, we have released Hart and signed Reiff, but otherwise nothing has changed along the Oline. We still have a lot of uncertainty along the Oline, with a center coming off an injury (or not being ready in which case we have a 1st round bust lined up to start) and two guard spots that aren't really locked in place. One guard spot is literally vacant and the other is manned by XSF who is maybe average, but we don't really know because he was injured for so much of 2020.

Drafting Sewell really helps with that uncertainty. Reiff can move to RG and Sewell can play RT, Williams can move to RT and Sewell can play LT, or Sewell can play guard. He is a versatile player at our weakest position.

We could wait until the 2nd round to draft an OT and probably come away with a fine player, but you could say the same about WR, as both classes are deep this year. The thing about the 2nd round is 32 teams passed on that player at least once, so the odds that they're a day 1 starter is lower. It isn't eliminated obviously, as 2nd rounders start on day 1 very often. But if the draft doesn't fall perfectly and all the tackles get picked right before your pick (like in 2019 when McGary, Taylor, Little, Ford and Risner all going in the 10 picks ahead of our selection in the 2nd round) leaving you with a huge need and your hat in your hand. This may lead you to reaching for a non-starter ready Olineman, or you could try your luck in third round. Obviously, the prospect level drops with each round so are you getting a starter in the 3rd round? Even less likely.

Now, the key to why I use this argument for OL and not WR (which could happen as well if we took Sewell) is if you draft a WR in the 2nd round hoping he can start on day 1 and he is ineffective...well that sucks but that generally won't risk injury to your QB. The WR will just be out there running ineffective routes and not be thrown to, but his failure to get open doesn't directly cause an injury to your QB. However, with an OL it could. Look at what putting Michael Johnson at LG when he was not ready did to Joe's knee.

So we have one position that, if the player is ineffective it just hurts your offense, and another position that, if the player is ineffective it literally puts your prized QB in danger.

Not to mention, Reiff is 33 and is on a 1 year contract, so we'll likely need a new starter in 2022 anyway. We at least have two great WRs signed long term. Can't say that about OTs.

I think the choice is clear.