Detroit Lions: Building the organization’s 2021 NFL Draft board

Players who provide great value for the Detroit Lions at seventh overall.

Ja’Marr Chase and Penei Sewell are elite prospects at their respective positions and should be locks for top five picks, but an early run of quarterbacks might push them down to the Detroit Lions. If they do, the Lions should draft them and be set at their spots for the next decade or so.

5. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Sewell gets the slight edge of Chase due to the depth of this receiver class. The Lions don’t have a huge need at tackle, but the Lions should not pass up the value to draft an elite tackle. If they do draft Penei Sewell, the Lions will have an elite offensive line with Decker and Sewell at the tackles, and Frack Ragnow, Jonah Jackson, and Hal Vaitai on the interior.

Sewell has great movement skills, especially for someone with his size and strength. He will need to learn how to play on the ride side, but it isn’t hard to picture him being a long-time pro with his ability. Sewell, Ragnow, Decker, and Jackson would be a great core to build an offense around and would elevate the rest of the roster.

6. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Ja’Marr Chase opted out of the past season, but front offices won’t forget the historic season he had in 2019, where he dominated the SEC catching 20 TDs and racking up 1,780 yards. He plays much bigger than his size and is great at 50-50 balls despite being only 6-foot-1.

He’s also a skilled route runner who uses his physicality and change of speed to get open. If that’s not enough, Chase can also make great plays with the ball in his hands and isn’t afraid to block in the run game. Chase is the whole package as a receiver package and would jump in and be WR1.