By Sunday 
When you think about the Detroit Lions’ success last season—15-2 and NFC North champs—one big reason was their ferocious offensive line. At the heart of it all? Penei Sewell. The dude’s a mauler. The kind of lineman who makes defenders regret showing up on Sunday.
But apparently, that’s not enough for Pro Football Focus.
Wait, Sewell Isn’t Top 5?
According to PFF’s latest offensive tackle rankings, Sewell comes in at No. 6. Yep—just outside the top five. It’s a move that’s sure to make some Lions fans raise an eyebrow (or both).
Now, to be fair, PFF didn’t totally shade him. Analyst Zoltán Buday wrote:
“Arguably the best run-blocking offensive tackle in the league, Sewell would have ranked higher on this list had he performed better as a pass blocker in 2024.”
That run-blocking grade? An insane 95.7 over the past two seasons—best among all tackles. But it was the pass protection that held him back. According to PFF, Sewell posted a 75.4 pass-blocking grade, good for just 29th at his position, and allowed pressure on 4.7% of pass plays.
Sewell’s Offseason Plan: Bigger, Stronger, Better
So, what’s Sewell doing about it? Well, he’s not resting on that No. 6 ranking.
“I just wanted to get bigger and stronger while maintaining my speed and conditioning,” he told the team’s website.
He’s not kidding either. Sewell’s offseason has been about pushing limits—in the weight room.
“Always trying to up the weight,” he said. “Obviously, you have to be smart with it… It’s just moving the heavy weights fast.”
Translation: he’s getting ready to be a problem in 2025.
Why This Matters for the Lions
Sewell was the 7th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and since then, he’s grown into a cornerstone of the Lions’ offense. If he can elevate his pass-blocking game to match his run dominance, we might be talking about the best tackle in football—no qualifiers needed.
With a high-stakes Week 1 opener against the Packers on Sept. 7, Sewell’s progress could be on full display right out the gate.
Final Thought
Being No. 6 might feel like a snub, but if Sewell’s mindset is any indication, he’s coming for that top spot. And honestly? That should scare every edge rusher in the league.