The Lions’ fifth-year star from Oregon (No. 7 overall in 2021) is a four-time Pro Bowler (2022–25 and counting) and has earned first-team All-Pro honors in each of the past three seasons. He also finished 11th in the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year voting, a rare feat for an offensive lineman. In 2024, Sewell topped all tackles (89 qualifying) in Pro Football Focus’ metrics-based rating, ending the year with an overall grade of 95.2.
On January 29, 2026, the NFL announced Sewell as a finalist for the league’s first-ever Protector of the Year Award, recognizing the NFL’s top lineman of the season. The finalists are Sewell alongside tackle Garrett Boles (Denver), guards Joe Thuney (Chicago) and Quinn Meinerz (Denver), and centers Aaron Brewer (Miami) and Creed Humphrey (Kansas City).
Detroit’s 2024 O-line grading placed the group fourth in the league per PFF, but 2025 proved challenging. The Lions lost two starters—right guard Kevin Zeitler to Tennessee and center Frank Ragnow’s retirement—while left tackle Taylor Decker’s performance dipped, and Decker has publicly considered retirement. Injuries and turnover contributed to a drop to No. 12 in the regular-season O-line rankings, with 13 different linemen logging at least 10 snaps.
Despite the overall struggle, the right side held up well, with Sewell missing only one game. Rookie right guard Tate Ratledge emerged as a bright spot, especially in the run game, posting a 73.5 PFF run-blocking grade (12th among all guards, second among rookies). The Lions leaned on his development as part of their interior line transition.
Sewell remains under contract through 2029 on a four-year extension worth $112 million, providing a stable core as Detroit attempts to rebuild the interior. With Sewell as the anchor, the Lions aim to recapture the form that made their line a strength in recent seasons while addressing the vacancies and depth that surfaced in 2025.
