​The Detroit Lions have confirmed that Penei Sewell will switch to left tackle this offseason, moving after they drafted Blake Miller. Even with Sewell shifting positions, expectations remain high that he is the best tackle in the NFL entering 2026. A survey conducted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler gathered input from executives, scouts, and coaches to identify the top ten players at each position. Sewell rose from being considered the second-best tackle last year to a consensus as the No. 1 tackle in the league. Fowler noted that Sewell did not receive the most first-place votes, yet the absence of any low votes helped him secure the top spot in the overall rankings. “Though he didn’t dominate the first-place voting, he hovered in the second- and third-place ranges, which boosted his average in the composite total,” wrote Clay.
Sewell’s floor appears to be strong, often matching a high ceiling in terms of performance, which is reflected in his game tape and in-game consistency. The Lions’ plan to move him to left tackle signals confidence that he can excel on the blind side, a move that underscores the belief in his versatility and talent. The spread of rankings across voters shows a broad, league-wide consensus that Sewell belongs among the elite tackles. Notably, the poll reveals a wider field of talent at the top of the tier; seven of the other top-ten tackles were left off at least one ballot, indicating how many players were considered for the top echelon.
Among the other top tackles, Jordan Mailata’s lowest ranking was ninth, yet that placement helped him rise high on some lists, while Tristan Wirfs appeared on lists as low as eighth. Even Trent Williams, who received several number-one votes, was omitted by some voters, illustrating the depth of quality at the position.
There were also notable omissions of players like Rashawn Slater, Charles Cross, and Christian Darrisaw, who nevertheless received a substantial number of top-ten votes from various voters. In total, 22 different tackles received at least one top-ten vote, reflecting a diverse and varied set of opinions across ballots. This is part of what makes Sewell’s placement as low as fourth on some rankings so striking; opinions about tackles differ widely, and no single ballot dominated. Yet every list that counted included Sewell among the top tier, with no ballot failing to mention him in the upper echelon.
The timing of Fowler’s poll coincided with fantasy football analyst Mike Clay’s assessment. Clay ranked Sewell as the tenth-best offensive lineman, a stance that drew some criticism before he defended his position on social media. Clay cited in-house metrics that portray Sewell in a less favorable light as a pass blocker, according to his chosen metrics. A day later, however, the same field of NFL insiders he referenced published a poll showing far fewer doubters about Sewell’s standing, suggesting a broader professional valuation of his abilities. Opinions vary, and individuals are entitled to theirs, but the general consensus remains that Sewell belongs among the league’s premier tackles, even as he shifts to a new position and amid the evolving roster landscape.