Pride of Detroit
Already a two-time All-Pro, can Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell elevate his game even further?
We are getting closer to Detroit Lions football everyday, and as time marches forward this Summer, so does our roster preview series.
Next up, we have one of the cornerstones of the franchise, First-Team All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell. Entering year five of what has already been a historic start to his career, Sewell has established himself as one of the most revered offensive linemen in the NFL, and a key leader in Detroit’s locker room.
“We’ve had guys that have been working here before the offseason program started, like Sewell’s one of those guys, which is awesome,” said coach Dan Campbell of his star tackle. “One of our captains, our leaders.”
Previous previews: QB Jared Goff, RB Sione Vaki, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, WR Jameson Williams, WR Kalif Raymond, TE Sam LaPorta, OL Colby Sorsdal, OT Giovanni Manu, G Graham Glasgow, EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, DT Brodric Martin, DL Pat O’Connor, LB Malcolm Rodriguez, LB Grant Stuard, CB Ennis Rakestraw, CB Terrion Arnold, DB Brian Branch, K Jake Bates
After his first All-Pro selection in 2023, expectations were understandably really high for Sewell. So much so that I wasn’t alone in the lofty Offensive Player of the Year chatter prior to the 2024 season. And while that discussion may not have been very realistic, the Lions were legitimate contenders after falling just short of a Super Bowl appearance, and Sewell, along with the rest of the offensive line, is at the center of it all.
It isn’t often that modern day offenses are constructed around an offensive lineman, but then again, few possess the skill set that Sewell does. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, the athleticism the native Samoan displays on a down-to-down basis is truly special. And while a lot of the media attention goes to players like running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, or wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams—it all starts up front for Detroit.
And with the way the 2023 season ended, and how laser-focused Sewell appeared to be in those moments following the heartbreaking loss in the NFC Championship game, it’s easy to understand why so many had Detroit tabbed as a title contender ahead of the regular season.
18 games (18 starts) — 1,144 offensive snaps
Stats per PFF: 1 sack allowed (also sacked once), 5 QB hits, 28 total pressures, 6 penalties
PFF overall grade: 87.5 (4th out of 140 offensive tackles)
PFF offensive grade: 89.6 (3rd out of 140)
PFF pass blocking grade: 75.4 (34th out of 140)
PFF run blocking grade: 91.5 (2nd out of 140)
Simply put, Sewell was one of the best players in the NFL in 2024, earning his second consecutive First-Team All-Pro selection while the Lions secured the number one overall seed in the NFC. On more than one occasion, it appeared as if the...
