Former Oregon Football Star Named Second-Best at Position in NFL originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Former Oregon standout Penei Sewell has been named the second-best offensive tackle in the NFL heading into the 2025 season, according to a poll of league executives, coaches, and scouts conducted by ESPN.
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Now a cornerstone of the Detroit Lions’ offensive line, Sewell tied Tampa Bay’s Tristan Wirfs in top-five votes but ultimately landed just behind him due to fewer first-place nods. Still, the ranking is a testament to Sewell’s rapid rise.
Just four seasons into his pro career, the former All-American has already racked up three Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors — along with the 2024 Polynesian Professional Football Player of the Year award.
Despite not leading the league in analytics — his 2024 pass block win rate of 91.2% and run block win rate of 71.7% ranked modestly among the elite — Sewell’s impact is undeniable.
“You don’t have to watch Sewell play for long to know how he impacts a game,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote.
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Sewell, who starred for the Ducks from 2018 to 2020, remains one of the program’s most decorated modern NFL alumni. His consistent dominance at such a young age has made him a presence in Detroit — and one of the league’s premier tackles.
Dec 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. (Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images)(Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images)
Sewell and the Lions will be in preseason action against the Los Angeles Chargers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio on Thursday, July 31.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.