Back when the 2021 NFL Draft was rolling around, there was a lot of chatter about which direction the Detroit Lions should go in. General manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell were newly hired and facing an extremely daunting task in front of them — rebuild the Lions’ roster and turn it into a perennial contender. Certainly easier said than done.
However, something happened the night of the draft that made their lives and decision much easier. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell, who was viewed as one of the best tackle prospects to enter the draft in recent memory, slid to them at seventh overall.