Vikings Draft Thermometer: LB Noah Sewell
Josh Frey
|
Welcome to the Vikings Draft Thermometer series, PurplePTSD‘s one-stop shop for all your 2023 NFL Draft needs. Throughout this series, we will be examining a number of prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, what exactly their role could be at the NFL level, and most importantly, whether or not they could end up playing their first NFL snaps in a Vikings uniform. With that, let’s take a look at today’s prospect: Oregon LB Noah Sewell.
Background
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 250 pounds
- School: Oregon
- Games Watched: Washington (2021), UCLA (2022), Washington State (2022)
Statistics
- 2020: 48 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble (7 Games)
- 2021: 114 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, 5 pass defenses, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles (14 Games)
- 2022: 56 tackles, .5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 4 pass defenses, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery (12 Games)
Strengths
Noah Sewell is a very talented linebacker and has been a great piece in the middle of Oregon’s defense. However, the best trait in Sewell’s arsenal may be his effort and motor. Sewell never gives up on a play even if he’s on the opposite sideline from the action.
It helps that Sewell has blazing sideline-to-sideline speed that allows him to get back into any play. The speed makes him a reliable player in pass coverage, but he also has the strength that enables him to shed blockers and be a force in run defense as well.
Bruce Feldman included Sewell on his ‘Freaks List’ as well, saying about the linebacker, “Sewell, a former high school quarterback, also had 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. The 6-2, 260-pound junior has great movement skills, topping out at 20.85 mph on the GPS. He also bench-pressed 425 this offseason, did 655 pounds on the sumo deadlift and power-cleaned 345.”
Weaknesses
Sewell’s motor is great and keeps him in place, but there are occasions where he relies on his speed and athleticism too much. He needs to learn to take more efficient paths to get to ballcarriers.
When Sewell does reach them, he can also benefit from being a more consistent tackler. There are a few instances on his tape where he doesn’t wrap up his tackles.
NFL Projections
- Draft Round: Late First-Mid Second
- Immediate Role: Starting MIKE
- Best-Case Scenario: Bobby Wagner
- Vikings Draft Thermometer: 60
The Sewell name is one of college football and NFL royalty at this point. Noah’s brother, Penei, has blossomed into one of the best right tackles in the NFL with the Detroit Lions, ranking 3rd in the NFLPA’s All-Pro vote at the position. Personally, I still like Trenton Simpson out of Clemson a little better as a prospect, but especially if Minnesota trades down from No. 23, Sewell would not be a bad option at the linebacker position.