​As my Detroit Lions player profile series continues, the focus now shifts to one of the best offensive linemen in football: Penei Sewell. Since Detroit selected Sewell with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, he has developed into the cornerstone of the Lions’ offensive line and one of the league’s premier players at any position.Sewell spent his first five NFL seasons at right tackle, where he established himself as a dominant force. Entering the 2026 season, however, he’ll face a new challenge. Following the departure of longtime left tackle Taylor Decker, Sewell is expected to move back to the left side, the position he starred at during his college career at Oregon.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile switching tackle positions is no small adjustment, Sewell’s athleticism, technique, and football IQ make him uniquely equipped to handle the transition. His versatility has been one of his greatest strengths throughout his career, and Detroit believes he can anchor the blind side just as effectively as he dominated on the right.Sewell’s résumé already stacks up with the NFL’s elite despite being only 25 years old. He has earned three consecutive First-Team All-Pro selections and has been voted to four straight Pro Bowls. His dominance has also earned widespread recognition from around the league. Earlier this offseason, NFL executives, coaches, and scouts ranked Sewell as the league’s No. 1 offensive lineman. He also received the highest overall rating among offensive linemen in Madden NFL 27. While video game ratings don’t determine success on the field, they reflect the respect Sewell has earned across the football world.The advanced metrics tell an even more impressive story. During the 2025 season, Sewell posted a 95.1 overall Pro Football Focus grade, ranking first among all qualified offensive tackles. His 96.7 run-blocking grade also led the position, highlighting his ability to dominate defenders in Detroit’s physical rushing attack. As a pass protector, he earned an 80.3 pass-blocking grade, ranking 11th among qualified tackles while allowing just 19 total pressures, including only two sacks and six quarterback hits across 998 offensive snaps. Even more impressive, Sewell committed just two penalties all season, a remarkable feat considering the number of snaps he played against the NFL’s top pass rushers.Beyond his production, Sewell has become one of the emotional leaders of the franchise. He has been voted a team captain in each of the past three seasons, a reflection of the respect he commands inside the locker room despite still being one of the younger veterans on the roster. Sewell will more than likely be named captain for the 2026 season.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementProjecting statistics for offensive linemen isn’t nearly as straightforward as it is for quarterbacks or wide receivers, but expectations for Sewell remain sky-high. Another First-Team All-Pro selection and Pro B