The Detroit Lions have lots of star power heading into the fresh season. But, one of their best players might not be the name that comes to mind right away. Fox Sports named Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell the No. 9 best player in the NFL, putting the 25-year-old among the league's elite.
That's some serious recognition for an offensive lineman, especially since those players don't always get the same attention as quarterbacks, wide receivers or pass rushers. Sewell has already built quite the résumé in his first five NFL seasons. He's been named to four Pro Bowls and has earned three straight first-team All-Pro selections.
Now, he's preparing for a significant change as he moves from right tackle to left tackle. More sports: Jets Should Feel Good About Their Defense After Preseason Showing It's a move that's worked for Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Tristan Wirfs, and if Sewell can make the transition successfully, it could further cement him at the top of his position. What makes Sewell's ranking extra cool is that offensive linemen weren't included in Fox Sports' individual position rankings.
In that sense, Sewell essentially made the overall top 10 as a write-in candidate, showing just how highly his value is regarded. Sports news: Broncos QB Bo Nix Already Easing Concerns Heading Into 2026 Also, there's still lots of time for him to add to his resume. At just 25 years old, Sewell has already put together four straight Pro Bowl seasons and three consecutive first-team All-Pro nods.
Now, he'll have the challenge of switching sides of the offensive line while trying to maintain the level of play that's made him one of the NFL's most respected linemen. Sewell might not get the same spotlight as some of Detroit's other stars, but his impact deserves to be recognized with the very best players in football.
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