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NFC North Roundtable: Best player in the division has no consensus with two clear favorites
Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NFC North Roundtable: Best player in the division has no consensus with two clear favorites

Originally posted on A to Z Sports  |  By Tyler Forness  |  Last updated Jul 9, 2025 9:27 AM ET

The NFC North is the best division in the National Football League and they have some of the league's best players. What becomes a really interesting discussion is who the best player in the division is.

Despite the quarterback position being viewed as the most valuable position, our panel didn't take positional value into effect. Right now, there are two players that stand out above the rest. Three of our panelists landed on one, and the debate is contentious.

Minnesota Vikings beat writer Tyler Forness: Vikings WR Justin Jefferson

I think there are only two players that you could realistically have here: Jefferson and Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell. Both have two first-team All Pro selections under their belt in their careers, and have been dominant at their positions from day one. The difference between the two is simple to me: Jefferson has set numerous National Football League records and has an Offensive Player of the Year award to his credit.

Jefferson hasn't just been great in his five seasons with the Vikings; he's been dominant for stretches in big games. Whenever the Vikings have needed a play, he's been there. Plus, Jefferson has the most receiving yard ever for a player through their second, third, fourth, and fifth seasons, along with the most receiving yards per game in NFL history at 96.5. There isn't another receiver that can match Jefferson's aura and ability. He also has arguably the biggest "I'm him" moment in NFL history.

Green Bay Packers beat writer Wendell Ferreira: Lions RT Penei Sewell

I tend to be more wide receiver-friendly in the discussions about positional value and impact, but that's not the idea of this discussion. When we talked about value, Jordan Love was my choice inside the division, and Justin Jefferson would certainly be ahead of Sewell. But talking about the best player, and not the most valuable one, it has to be the Lions right tackle. He's only 24 years old and is already the best tackle in football, possibly the best offensive lineman, and one of the best overall players in the entire league. Sewell is a better run blocker than pass protector, but he is a complete lineman with insane athletic potential. The Ja'Marr Chase/Penei Sewell pre-draft discussion ended up as a win-win for the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions, but Brad Holmes has to be happy with this outcome for Detroit.

Chicago Bears beat writer Kole Noble: Lions RT Penei Sewell

There’s no question this guy is one of the top players in the entire league. In fact, I view Penei Sewell inside the Top-5 regardless of position league-wide and it’s time he gets his well deserved flowers. At 24-years-old, Sewell is already a two-time first-team All-Pro selection and is still scratching the potential he can have in the league. He’s easily the best run blocker in the NFL and his pass protection has consistently improved each year of his career. All due respect to Justin Jefferson, who I view as the top WR in the game and easily another Top-5 player in the league, but I’d have Sewell slightly ahead of him if I were to pick one over the other.

Detroit Lions beat writer Mike Payton: Lions RT Penei Sewell

It’s Penei Sewell. We’re talking about not just one of the best tackles in football, we’re talking about one of the very best players in the entire NFL.

With Frank Ragnow gone, Sewell is now the captain of that offensive line, and everyone is going to be leaning on him. He makes everyone around him better. In terms of a runner-up, you gotta go with Justin Jefferson. He’s a problem for every single team the Vikings face.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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