02-21-2021, 02:45 AM
(02-21-2021, 01:46 AM)Whatever Wrote: The first T off the board last year was Andrew Thomas. He allowed 10 sacks, took 3 penalties, and had a 62.4 PFF grade.
The second T off the board was Jedrick Wills. He allowed 4 sacks, took 11 penalties, and had a 61.5 PFF grade.
The third T off the board was Mekhi Becton. He allowed 7 sacks, took 7 penalties, and had a 74.4 PFF grade.
The fourth T off the board was Tristan Wirfs. He allowed 1 sack, took 3 penalties, and had an 82.2 PFF grade.
The 5th T off the board was Austin Jackson. He allowed 4 sacks, took 5 penalties, and had a 52.4 PFF grade.
Last year, Bobby Hart allowed 4 sacks, took 3 penalties, and had a 66.3 PFF grade.
Where's this dramatic upgrade? Only one of the five gave up fewer sacks than Hart and only two graded better.
If anyone is expecting Sewell or any other T to come in as a rookie and be a major upgrade over Hart, they simply aren't being realistic. That's a long term move that will probably pay dividends in a few years, which is fine, but it's not a "We need a T at 5 because we need to fix the OL for next year," move.
Secondly, it's not Chase vs Tee and Boyd. It's Chase vs Auden Tate. You aren't putting Tee or Boyd on the bench if you take Chase. Last year, Boyd, Tee, and AJ had 110, 108, and 104 Targets respectively. The #3 WR sees the same amount of passes as the #1 and #2. It is not some tertiary position you can just throw some 4th round rookie or C tier FA into and run your offense just fine because you don't throw to them that much.
Look around the free agency piles out there right now.
What is easier to find, a starting #3 WR that can outproduce Tate or a starting Tackle that can keep Burrow safe?
Answer... plenty of high quality options at WR and zero real options at tackle.
Draft O-line, go get a #3 in free agency or later in the draft.
There is no excuse to use the first round on a skill position when your QB is constantly under siege and coming off rehab.
As to the pressures allowed. I would be willing to take a bet that Sewell will give up less sacks next season then Bobby Hart no matter what teams they are on.