All Lions: Penei Sewell Dominated Top EDGE Rushers in 2023

Why Sewell was successful against the NFC North's top competition.

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell signals for two more wins. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Detroit Lions struck gold in 2021 by drafting Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell.

Since entering the league, he has wasted little time producing at an elite level. In 2023, his third NFL season, the Oregon product was rewarded for his efforts by earning All-Pro honors.

Specifically, he matched up well against some of the elite pass-rushers in the league. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just one sack last season. He had a 79.2 pass-blocking grade and allowed pressures on 25-of-757 true pass sets.

Against the top edge rushers in the division, Sewell was excellent. Matching up against Danielle Hunter, Montez Sweat and Preston Smith, he had a total of 95 pass-blocking matchups. In that span, he allowed just six pressures and no sacks.

He was just as dominant in the run game, as he had a run-blocking grade of 95.1 last season. Sewell had an excellent third NFL campaign and is projected to earn a hefty extension after the team presumably picks up his fifth-year option this offseason.

Penei Sewell vs. Montez Sweat, Danielle Hunter, and Preston Smith in 2023:

95 pass-blocking matchups
6 QB pressures allowed
0 sacks allowed

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— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) April 10, 2024

1.) Lions Wire conducted a seven-round mock draft featuring a trade up for Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold in the first round.

2.) Detroit Free Press columnist Carlos Monarrez wrote of a potential "grievance culture" growing within the Lions' locker room after recent comments to the media by Brad Holmes and Jared Goff.

3.) Pro Football Focus listed Day 3 fits for every NFL team this year in the NFL Draft. For the Lions, the site projected Louisiana Tech cornerback Willie Roberts in the final rounds.