Penei Sewell has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier offensive linemen since being selected seventh overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, one coordinator believes that Sewell has a major flaw in his game.

In ESPN’s annual survey ranking the league’s top offensive linemen, done with executives, coaches, and scouts, Sewell was ranked as the best in the league. However, one coordinator is said to have pointed out a major flaw in Sewell’s game.

“He’s got short arms, and he doesn’t win a lot in pass protection against real guys, just like everyone else,” said the coordinator, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. “But they pretend like he doesn’t [struggle].” 

There is truth to this coordinator's take. According to Jeremy Fowler's July 11 ESPN report, Sewell had an 89.6% pass block rate last season, his worst since his rookie season, which would rank him outside the top 40 offensive tackles in the league.

Meanwhile, Sewell’s arm length of 33 ¼ inches is just above the league’s widely viewed minimum of 33 inches.

However, it is hard to argue that Sewell is not one of the best, if not the best, in the league. Sewell has started in 83 games since being drafted and has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times and selected All-Pro three times.

Since arriving in the league, Sewell has consistently been ranked in the top 10 offensive linemen in the same survey. With a lowest ranking of fourth, Sewell was ranked as the second-best offensive lineman last season, behind the 49ers’ Trent Williams.

While Sewell’s flaw has been pointed out, other people within the league still view him as the best in the league.

One NFL coach even called Sewell the “most complete player”.

NFL coach names Sewell as the “most complete player”

In the results of the same survey, Fowler revealed that Sewell had not dominated the votes for first-place but finished first overall because of the consistency of votes in the second and third-place votes.

However, one veteran NFL defensive coach is said to have given Sewell the biggest of praises during the survey.

“He’s still the most complete player at this stage – physical, powerful, smart,” said the NFL coach. 

Meanwhile, another executive praised Sewell’s attitude in games and considered it to be one of his main strengths.

“He has the most ‘f*** you’ attitude plays in the league,” said the executive. “Always brings the juice.”

It is this mentality that has helped Sewell become the leader of the Lions’ offensive line. However, this upcoming season, Sewell will have an even bigger leadership role, since offensive tackle Taylor Decker was released during the offseason.

Sewell is also preparing to switch to the left side of the offensive line due to the release of Decker, and is most likely to have the Lions’ first-round pick, Blake Miller, occupy his previous position.

It will be interesting to see whether Sewell can adjust to the change and continue being one of the best offensive linemen in the league.

Where would you rank Sewell amongst the best offensive linemen in the league? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Dhruv Vishnu Nair

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit