Former NFL Lineman Says Penei Sewell Is Overrated

Detroit Lions OL Penei Sewell is widely regarded as one of the best offensive tackles in the game today.

Sewell, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has posted Pro Football Focus run-blocking grades of 90.5 or above, and has allowed no more than a sack each of the past two seasons. For his efforts, he's earned a PFF overall mark of at least 87.5, and has been named first-team All-Pro in back-to-back seasons.

The Lions starting right tackle was also recently ranked the No. 2 offensive tackle in the NFL by league executives, coaches and scouts.

Despite the strong play from Sewell through his first four NFL seasons, there is one pundit who believes he's been overhyped: former offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz. 

Since retiring, Schwartz, a first-team All-Pro in 2018 and Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, has become a popular follow on social media. And recently, he took to “X” to express he doesn't believe Sewell is presently the league's second-best offensive tackle.

Per Schwartz, “Whoever is running Sewell’s PR firm needs a raise. I don’t care how good of a run blocker you are, being an average or above average pass blocker means you aren’t the best at your side or the 2nd best overall tackle. Everyone is going to think I hate Sewell, I don’t, he’s still the 2nd best RT for me. He’s just not good enough to be getting the accolades and praise he currently is.”