The Detroit Lions have shaken off their past reputation as an NFL bottom-feeder, largely thanks to the leadership of head coach Dan Campbell, who has placed strong emphasis on solidifying the team’s foundation — particularly along the offensive line.
One of Detroit’s major moves came in 2021, when they used the seventh overall pick to draft offensive lineman Penei Sewell. Typically, top-10 picks are used on left tackles, but the Lions chose to place Sewell on the right side of the line — a decision that has yielded excellent results so far. In just four seasons, Sewell has already earned three Pro Bowl appearances and two All-Pro honors. Most recently, an ESPN survey involving coaches, executives, and players placed him second among all tackles in the league.
Despite the widespread praise, former All-Pro lineman Mitchell Schwartz isn’t sold on Sewell’s dominance — especially in pass protection. Taking to Twitter, Schwartz voiced his concerns, arguing that Sewell’s recognition is inflated due to a powerful public relations narrative.
“Whoever handles Sewell’s image is doing a stellar job,” Schwartz posted. “Run blocking is great, but if you’re only decent or slightly above average at protecting the quarterback, you shouldn’t be ranked among the very best at your position. I don’t dislike Sewell — he’s still my second-best right tackle — but the level of praise he’s getting is more than what he’s earned.”
Schwartz went on to mention several other offensive tackles he believes are more deserving of elite status, including Lane Johnson of the Eagles, Tristan Wirfs of the Buccaneers, and Trent Williams from the 49ers. His argument leaned heavily on pass-blocking ability as the main metric for top-tier offensive linemen.
In ESPN’s recent rankings, Wirfs claimed the top spot, followed by Sewell, Johnson, and Williams. Although Sewell allowed just one sack last season, Pro Football Focus assigned him a pass-blocking grade of 74.1 — placing him 39th among tackles. That assessment seems to back up Schwartz’s opinion.
However, Sewell remains a dominant run blocker, earning the second-highest grade in that category. That skill set, combined with Detroit’s explosive offense, continues to fuel his growing recognition league-wide.
