Ducks Digest

Why Detroit Lions' Penei Sewell Should Win First NFL Protector of the Year Award

With the new "Protector of the Year Award" being announced to highlight the best offensive lineman in the NFL, many are predicting former Oregon Ducks and Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell to take home the first trophy.
Ally Osborne|
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) is announced before the start of the game against the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) is announced before the start of the game against the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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The NFL recently announced the new "Protector of the Year Award" highlighting the league's best offensive lineman, and there's a chance former Oregon Ducks and current Detroit Lions star Penei Sewell could clinch the first-ever honor during the 2025 season.

Each award recipient will be determined by a panel of offensive line legends, which are currently made up of LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O'Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Andrew Whitworth.

"[The panel has] come up with a criteria on skills, metrics, impact, leadership, durability and strength of the opponent. We'll be tracking that quarterly with this group," said NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent.

Dec 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) during the game against the San
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. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

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The NFL does not tend to recognize position-specific awards, with the offensive and defensive MVP being open to their respective sides of the ball, but the Protector of the Year Award aims to shine a light on the commonly-overlooked offensive line corps that are essential to the game. Whitworth and Buffalo Bills' offensive tackle Dion Dawkins were major forces behind the creation of this honor.

"FINALLY!!" said former Oregon Duck and Detroit Lions offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby on Sports Illustrated's post about the new award. "That said either Penei [Sewell], Lane [Johnson], Ronnie [Stanley], Tristan [Wirfs] are going to be the winner of it."

Sewell was immediately one of the top names thrown out by fans and media members alike as a front-runner for the first ever Protector of the Year Award, which will be given out at the end of the 2025-2026 season.

In 2024, Sewell ranked No. 11 in voting for the Offensive Player of the Year. As a versatile blocker for quarterback Jared Goff with some serious power, Sewell has only missed one regular-season start (happening in 2021) since being drafted that same year.

Sewell is a two consecutive year First-Team All-Pro pick, and a three time consecutive Pro Bowl invitee. In 2024, Sewell won the Polynesian Professional Football Player of the Year award, an honor similar to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award he earned in 2019.

When selecting the first recipient of the Protector of the Year Award, the panel will certainly consider Sewell's longevity on the field and in the game so far, his versatility on both sides of the line, and his reliability as a blocker for one of the best offensive line corps in the country.

Jan 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) waits to take the field before the game
Jan 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) waits to take the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

“In his fourth year-and still just 24 years old-Sewell has firmly established himself as one of the nastiest blockers in the league," said Pro Football Focus when ranking him No. 26 on their top 100 NFL players list for 2024. "His athleticism shines in the run game, as evidenced by his 91.2 run-blocking grade on zone concepts, ranking in the 92nd percentile this past season."

At 24 years of age, Sewell's success speaks for itself, and ensures he'll have many shots at winning this new award, if he doesn't get the nod this upcoming season.

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

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