First Offensive Linemen Selected NFL Draft Predictions & Odds 2021

• The odds on favorite to be the first lineman selected is Penei Sewell of Oregon
• Many mocks have Northwestern O-lineman Rashawn Slater going in the top-5
• Our longshot blocker and pass protector is Teven Jenkins of Oklahoma State

An NFL offensive lineman plays a key part of both the run and pass game by blocking and protecting his high-value quarterback, so every professional franchise searches for the best blindside protection available, and these are our predictions, odds, and picks for which college OL prospect will be selected first in the upcoming draft.

First Offensive Linemen Odds

Odds taken 27 April, 2021 from DraftKings Sportsbook

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First Offensive Linemen Selected Predictions and Picks

Despite opting out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Penei Sewell is not only the clear favorite for this prop bet but is also predicted to go in the top three overall.

Pick:

Penei Sewell

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Favorites to Win

Penei Sewell, Oregon

This favorite to win this prop bet opted out of his 2020 season at Oregon due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so now the 2019 Outland Trophy and Morris Trophy recipient is well-rested and ready to jump into the NFL trenches and grind.

The 6’ 6” 330-pound unanimous All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 playmaker born in Malaeimi, a small town in American Samoa, played on Oregon’s front line for two seasons, 2018 and 2019.

Some mock drafts have Sewell going either third or fifth (depending on trade-ups) to the Bengals, a team that needs plenty of help protecting quarterback Joe Burrow, whereas one mock has Sewell sticking around until the tenth pick when Dallas would snag him to keep a healing Dak Prescott safe.

Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

Once the Big Ten college football conference made the decision to postpone their 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Northwestern offensive lineman Rashawn Slater immediately began preparing himself for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Expected to have a huge 2020 – Slater was named a preseason All-American and All-Big Ten, plus placed on the Outland Trophy watchlist – as a junior he allowed zero sacks in his eleven starts, and the 6’ 4” 315 pounds has had the attention of NFL scouts ever since.

One mock draft has Slater going sixth overall to the Eagles but only after Sewell is taken with the third pick, and few, if any mocks have him going before Sewell, find an NFL team first.

Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

After Virginia Tech emerged as one of the better rushing attacks across all conferences, this 6’ 5” 314-pound offensive tackle began attracting the attention of the NFL scouts always hungry for young, front-line talent.

Darrisaw already looks like an NFL lineman with the size and lateral movement to compete with the pros, the Petersburg, VA native allowing just six QB hurries and zero sacks during his senior season.

Most mocks have Darrisaw going in the first round somewhere in the first twenty picks, always after Sewell.

No Chance to Win

Of course, zero disrespect intended by this category, especially given the talent level of these two future NFL-ers, but oddsmakers give them little to no chance to win this particular prop bet.

Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame

This 6’ 6” 302-pound consensus All-American and first-team All-ACC offensive lineman started in every game his final two seasons at Notre Dame, a sign that his durability could translate to the NFL level where OL have a relatively short shelf life.

Eichenberg did not allow a sack in either the 2019 or 2020 seasons, and over his final 33 career starts at Notre Dame he did not allow a sack, his powerful hands packing the kind of punch that NFL O-line coaches are looking for.

Most mock drafts have Eichenberg going somewhere in the second round, but late in the first is also a possibility.

Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State

The 6” 6” 320-pound All-Big 12 lineman has played in three bowl games with Oklahoma State and has switched between right and left tackle throughout his college career, the type of versatility most pro teams want from their linemen.

Jenkins has proven time and time again that he can both run block and offer pass protection, never giving up more than one pressure in any game, his strength and lateral speed both assets at the pro level.

Depending on need, Jenkins will most likely go somewhere in the second round, but trade-ups happen, and he could go sooner, just most likely not before Sewell.