The best NFL fit for Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell in 2023 NFL Draft

On3 imageby:Nikki Chavanelle07/11/22

NikkiChavanelle

Looking ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft, a solid group of defenders look poised to go in the first round if they continue what they started in 2022. Oregon Ducks linebacker Noah Sewell is one of those near-sure things after posting 114 total tackles with 53 solo, four sacks, 8.5 TFL, an interception and two forced fumbles in 2022.

Pro Football Focus recently picked out the perfect fit for each NFL team with the Dallas Cowboys going for the American Samoa native to bolster their already fierce defensive unit.

“You want a freaky off-ball linebacker tandem that doubles as your pass-rush?” PFF writes. “You got it. Sewell isn’t too far off from Micah Parsons from a size/explosiveness perspective. The 6-foot-3, 251-pounder makes up ground on running backs with an ease that’s incredible to watch.

“He earned an 88.6 pass-rushing grade a season ago, with 34 pressures on 98 blitzes. That would be two scary off-ball backers for the Cowboys.”

Noah Sewell is the younger brother of Penei Sewell who played at Oregon from 2018-2019. The elder Sewell won the 2019 Outland Trophy, opted out of the 2020 season and went seventh overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

ESPN’s way-too-early 2023 NFL mock draft has the Cowboys taking Noah Sewell at No. 30 overall.

Sewell tabbed by On3 as Butkus Award favorite

The preseason accolades are beginning to roll in for Oregon star Noah Sewell.

Sewell, a third-year sophomore linebacker and the lynchpin of the Ducks’ defense, is preparing for what could be one of the greatest seasons by an Oregon player in recent memory.

On3’s Mike Huguenin released his predictions for which players will win college football’s major awards in 2022.

Making his pick for the Butkus Award, presented annually to the top linebacker in the country, Huguenin selected Sewell. Here’s what Huguenin had to say about Oregon’s star ‘backer:

“Sewell figures to be the second member of his family, joining OT brother Penei, as an NFL first-round pick. Sewell is an old-fashioned thumper, but he also can flow sideline to sideline and looked solid in pass coverage last season (an interception, five pass breakups.)”

It would be quite an honor for Sewell. He would be the first Duck to win the award in its 37-year history. Oregon sophomore Justin Flowe won the high school edition of the award in 2019. PFF also sees Flowe as a potential first-rounder in the 2023 NFL Draft.