The Chicago Bears selected Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell with the 148th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
A hard-hitting, pass-rushing linebacker, Sewell is elite when asked to play between the tackles. However, he struggles in pass coverage and lacks the range to play in space as required in modern defenses.
Here’s a quick scouting report on Sewell:
Vitals
Position: LB
Age: 21
School: Oregon
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 246 pounds
Strengths
- Elite run-stopping linebacker who triggers quickly and delivers big hits.
- Excellent ball tracking ability: can “sift through trash” to find the ball carrier and make the tackle.
- He has a few pass-rush moves he’s displayed while blitzing.
Weaknesses
- A one-dimensional linebacker with limited pass coverage skill.
- He is an excellent downhill runner, but it’s unclear if he can run sideline to sideline.
- Lacks the athleticism to make plays in space against running backs and wide receivers.
Fit with Bears
The fit for Sewell is unclear. At Oregon, he wasn’t asked to cover defenders much on passing plays, and right now looks like a two-down linebacker. He’s a developmental pick that needs to improve his pass coverage or add mass to rush from the edge.
