ALLEN PARK -- Things might have looked very different in Detroit if the Cincinnati Bengals had built in the trenches instead of drafting a trusted target for Joe Burrow.
When speaking to reporters on Friday, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell revisited comments from the 2021 NFL draft. He said if the Bengals had taken Penei Sewell at No. 5 overall, Detroit would have selected Ja’Marr Chase at No. 7 if he were available.
As history shows, Chase went to Cincinnati and Sewell landed in Detroit, helping form the foundation of the Lions’ identity under Campbell.
“It put the wheels in motion for what we have become, to the point that we’re at,” Campbell said Friday. “That’s how important I think it is. Because really, everything that we’re about starts with the bigs, and then it permeates everywhere else. And so being able to get that player has been huge for us, man. He is a pillar. He is one of our pillars from day one.
“And he’s a guy that sets the tone. He’s a phenomenal athlete. His work ethic -- everything we’ve talked about up to this point, man. So we were blessed and fortunate to have him.”
Certainly, the Chase selection has worked out for the Bengals with a healthy Burrow throwing him the ball.
The fifth-year receiver won the 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year, helped Cincinnati reach the Super Bowl that season, and is now a two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. Last year, Chase led the league in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, becoming the “triple crown” king at wide receiver.
Many analysts across the country view it as a coin flip between Chase and Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson for the league’s best receiver.
In the same breath, Sewell has been just as dominant in Detroit.
Like Chase, he’s a two-time All-Pro -- both first-team -- and a three-time Pro Bowler. According to Pro Football Focus, Sewell leads all tackles with a 93.2 overall grade, a 95.2 run-blocking grade, and has allowed just one quarterback hit, zero sacks, and three total pressures this season, all without a penalty.
Campbell said it didn’t take long for him to realize Sewell was special.
“I think he grew fast. I think there was a ton of verification when he’s playing right tackle all camp, and then (Taylor) Decker gets hurt right before we played San Francisco. We have to throw him at left tackle as a rookie against (Nick) Bosa, and he played a hell of a game.
“And it’s like, wow, this is your first game against a hell of a player, and you hadn’t taken any left tackle snaps -- you’d been taking right tackle the whole time in the NFL. So that’s when it was like, okay, I think he’s going to be just fine. Now, he had growing pains like every other rookie, but that’s when it was like, okay, if there were any questions as to what it is, how long – whatever -- I think they’ve for the most part been answered.”
Sewell and the Lions are riding high on a three-game win streak, while the Bengals have dropped two straight with backup Jake Browning under center for the injured Burrow.
Because of that, both Chase and Tee Higgins have struggled to produce, with Chase posting just 10 receptions for 73 yards and no touchdowns in that span.
Still, Campbell knows the player he once scouted is capable of changing a game at any moment.
“I think it doesn’t matter what the situation is, he’s going to be dangerous,” Campbell said. “That’s the type of player he is in the pass game, you know. So, he’s somebody that you have to pay attention to. Every opponent has to at any given game.
“You know, we know they want to get him the ball. He’s a good player.”
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