The Detroit Lions were questioned after they used their first round pick (No. 7) to select Penei Sewell in the 2021 NFL draft. No one is questioning the selection now.
The Lions right tackle and former Oregon Ducks’ star has lived up to all expectations and has become a dominant player. Sewell was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2023 and a two-time Pro Bowl in his first three seasons in the NFL.
No one should be surprised that Sewell was ranked No. 2 at his position in a ESPN poll of scouts, coaches and executives going into the 2024 season. Sewell trailed only San Francisco’s Trent Williams in the poll.
“Dominant run blocker and arguably the best anchor in pass protection,” an AFC executive told ESPN. “Some OTs are great pass blockers but just average in the run game. He’s elite in both phases. Very consistent. Plays with an edge.”
Sewell was trailed by Houston’s Laremy Tunsil, Tampa Bay’s Tristan Wirfs and Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson to round out the top-five players at the position in the poll.
Sewell, 23, is the anchor of the Lions’ offensive line that is consistently ranked among the best in the NFL and helped the team reach the NFL championship game last season. With Sewell’s presence on the offensive line, Detroit running backs David Montgomery (1,015 rushing yards) and Jahmyr Gibbs (945 yards) nearly became the eighth set of teammates in NFL history to both run for over 1,000 yards in the same season.
He signed a four-year, $112 million extension during the past offseason that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL in terms of average annual salary. Sewell is expected to be the anchor of the offensive line for many years to come and it’s only a matter of time before he becomes the best at the position.
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