Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell plans to move All-Pro Penei Sewell to left tackle. The shift follows Taylor Decker’s release and aims to protect Jared Goff’s blindside. Analyst Matt Miller suggests the move might be a smokescreen for the upcoming NFL draft.

While speaking on MLive’s Dungeon Doom Podcast with hosts Ben Raven and Corry Wood, ESPN analyst Matt Miller deciphered Campbell’s approach of assigning right offensive tackle, Penei Sewell, to the left to replace Taylor Decker.  

“I think there's also a reality in which Dan Campbell is saying that because he doesn't want teams to think they're going to draft a left tackle,” Matt said while answering Ben Raven. “So, it's like that's exactly what I would do is to go out there and say, 'No, we might take our all-pro right tackle and move him.”

While addressing the reporters at the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting, head coach Campbell shared the idea of assigning Sewell to the left tackle position to enhance Jared Goff’s blindside protection after Taylor Decker’s release. 

"If you're asking me, I'd like to move him," Campbell said at the Annual League Meetings.

While the idea did seem strange, Sewell did play primarily left tackle in college, and for a very short time as a rookie. That being said, he's been a right tackle for almost five years now. According to Miller, switching won't be a good idea. 

“You don't have to worry about us. We don't need one, right? It's [laughter] like, no, you definitely do. You still need one,” Miller said. 

With the departure of Decker, the wall at left tackle is gone now. Even though a switch might solve the left tackle problem, it will create a void on the right side due to a lack of proven depth with Larry Borom. 

As mentioned by Matt Miller, the Lions must eye an offensive tackle draft prospect since they only possess two top 100 picks in this draft.

Dan Campbell Could Turn to Draft for Long-Term Left Tackle Solution

The reality is simple for Dan Campbell: if the answer isn’t on the roster, it has to come through the draft. When it comes to protecting Jared Goff’s blindside, the 2026 class offers real options.

Following the principle of building the roster through the draft, the Lions might eye Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano. 

Caleb Lomu from the Utah Utes. He logged 823 offensive snaps with a PFF grade of 68.4, but the real value shows up in pass protection, the elite 82.1 pass-block grade. 

Most importantly, he's a left tackle, with experience at playing right tackle too.

Then there’s Spencer Fano, also from the Utah Utes. More polished, more consistent.  He has played 822 snaps with a PFF grade of 83.9 and carries a higher prospect score of 6.44. 

Some mock drafts have even projected these players as possible choices for Detroit. So while Campbell may be tight-lipped, the Taylor Decker-shaped void is difficult to miss.

Both options point in the same direction, that is, protecting the blindside of Jared Goff. What do you think the Lions should do? Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote