If you were scrolling through draft Twitter back in the spring of 2021, you probably remember the absolute meltdown people had over Penei Sewell arm length. It was like the world was ending because a guy who bullied every defensive end in the Pac-12 didn't have limbs like a literal giant. Scouts were huddling in dark rooms whispering about "thresholds" and "position switches."
Honestly, it was kind of ridiculous.
Sewell was this generational force at Oregon, a guy who won the Outland Trophy as a sophomore. But the second he stepped on a scale and a scout pulled out the measuring tape at his Pro Day, the narrative shifted. The number was 33 1/4 inches. To a normal person, that sounds like a lot. To an NFL talent evaluator obsessed with the "ideal" 34-inch tackle profile, it was a red flag.
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The 34-Inch Myth and Why It Almost Cost Sewell
NFL teams are obsessed with measurements. They love their tackles to have arms that are at least 34 inches long. The logic is simple: if your arms are longer, you can touch the defender before they touch you. It’s like a boxing match where one guy has a three-inch reach advantage. If you can’t keep a 270-pound speed rusher away from your chest, you’re basically a revolving door.
When Sewell measured in at 33 1/4 inches, the "he's a guard" crowd came out in full force. They pointed to guys like Jonah Williams, who fell in the draft partly because of similar measurements. They argued that Sewell’s 80 7/8-inch wingspan was just "average."
But here’s the thing—football isn't played in a swimsuit on a measuring mat.
The Detroit Lions didn't care. They saw a 20-year-old kid who moved like a tight end and hit like a Mack truck. They took him at No. 7 overall, and since then, Sewell has basically made the "arm length" argument look like a joke. You've seen the highlights. He isn't just surviving; he is erasing people from the field.
How Sewell Wins Without "Elite" Length
So, how does a guy with 33 1/4-inch arms become a three-time First-Team All-Pro by the age of 25? It’s not magic. It’s actually pretty technical if you look at the tape.
- Violent Hands: Sewell doesn't just "place" his hands. He punches. His hand size—10 3/8 inches—is massive. When he connects, the defender's momentum stops. It doesn't matter if your arms are 35 inches long if a guy with 33-inch arms just caved your chest in.
- The Anchor: Sewell weighs about 335 pounds now, and it’s all lean power. His "short" arms actually help him stay compact. He doesn't get overextended. When a bull-rusher tries to go through him, they hit a brick wall.
- Recovery Speed: This is the big one. Scouts say long arms help you recover when you're beaten. Sewell just uses his feet. His 5.09-second 40-yard dash at 331 pounds was elite. He closes gaps with his legs that other tackles try to close with their arms.
Basically, Sewell proved that "playing long" is more important than "measuring long." Former Rams coach Sean McVay actually talked about this recently—some guys have the length but don't know how to use it. Sewell uses every millimeter of what he has.
The "Sewell Effect" on Modern Scouting
Fast forward to 2026, and the NFL is finally starting to relax. Because of Sewell (and Rashawn Slater, who has even shorter 33-inch arms), the "34-inch rule" is dying. Teams are realizing that if you can move and you have the "dawg" in you, an extra 3/4 of an inch on your humerus doesn't mean much.
We’re seeing more "short-armed" tackles get drafted high. Scouts are looking at penei sewell arm length as the blueprint for why you don't overthink a superstar. If a guy is a dominant blocker for three years in college, maybe—just maybe—he knows how to block.
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What This Means for You
If you’re a coach or a young player, don't obsess over the tape measure. Sewell is the living proof that technique, footwork, and raw aggression beat a "perfect" frame every single day.
Next time you hear a draft analyst complaining about a tackle's arm length, just look at Sewell’s contract—the four-year, $112 million extension he signed in 2024. That’s a lot of money for a guy with "short" arms.
If you want to understand why Sewell is so dominant, stop looking at the measurables and start watching his footwork in the run game. He doesn't just block defenders; he relocates them. Focus on developing a violent initial punch and elite lateral quickness. Those are the traits that actually translate to the Sunday level, regardless of what the scouts say in February.
Check your own reach, but don't let it define your ceiling. If 33 1/4 inches is enough to become the highest-paid tackle in football, it's enough for anyone to dominate their level of competition. Keep your hands inside, your feet moving, and let the scouts worry about the math while you worry about the scoreboard.