Penei Sewell cracks the NFL’s Top 100, highest among offensive linemen, as Lions season gains momentum
Penei Sewell is being recognized as the best offensive lineman in football, according to the NFL Top 100 for the 2025 season—a vote by players that places the Detroit Lions’ star right tackle at No. 13, the highest ranking ever for an offensive lineman on the list. The nine-spot jump from No. 22 in 2024 comes after a remarkable rise from being unranked in his first three seasons, underscoring Sewell’s transformation into one of the league’s premier blockers.
Former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson offered high praise for Sewell’s development, recalling how the rookie squared off with Aaron Donald in the Rams game and refused to back down. Johnson noted that Sewell has continually polished his technique and fundamentals since his rookie year, but emphasized that his leadership stands out even more. “He’s a tone-setter for us on offense,” Johnson said. “He’s going to drive guys off the ball and look to take souls out there.” The message is clear: Sewell’s impact goes beyond individual blocks; his presence elevates the entire unit.
Sewell isn’t alone on Detroit’s Top 100 roster this year. The Lions have seven players on the list, including:
– Jared Goff: 15th
– Amon-Ra St. Brown: 20th
– Jahmyr Gibbs: 27th
– Aidan Hutchinson: 55th
– Kerby Joseph: 71st
– Sam LaPorta: 94th
This ascent solidifies Sewell’s status as the linchpin of Detroit’s offense and reinforces the franchise’s commitment to building a powerful, cohesive line around him. His peers’ recognition not only validates the Lions’ ongoing investments on the trenches but also sets high expectations for the team’s offensive performance in 2025.
What this means going forward: Sewell’s leap to No. 13 signals not just personal achievement but a broader confidence in Detroit’s blocking scheme and run game. With a dominant right tackle anchoring the line, the Lions enter 2025 with a proven leader who can drive the pace and physicality up front, potentially boosting the offense’s overall efficiency and opening more opportunities for playmakers to thrive.
Additional context and value:
– Sewell’s reputation as a relentless, tone-setting blocker aligns with Detroit’s emphasis on physicality and technique at the line.
– The rest of the Top 100 Lions roster shows the team’s evolving identity: a balanced offense led by Goff, explosive playmakers in St. Brown and Gibbs, and a growing young core on both sides of the ball.
Summary perspective: Sewell’s rise to No. 13 on the NFL Top 100—and the surrounding Lions players’ presence on the list—cements Detroit’s offensive identity around a dominantly athletic, technically refined line. The progress highlighted by peers and coaches suggests a bright outlook for the Lions’ offense in the 2025 season, with Sewell continuing to be a central figure and a driver of team success.