The Detroit Lions catch a falling star drafting Penei Sewell seventh overall

They did it. The Detroit Lions actually did it.

The organization made a smart choice with its first-round pick.

Detroit Lions selected Penei Sewell, the best offensive lineman in the country, with their seventh overall pick. A draft pick that sent Dan Campbell and Detroit’s entire WAR room to the moon.

Offensive linemen have the dirtiest job in all professional sports. They create the time and space for the rest of the offense to move downfield with little recognition.

Penei Sewell gives the Lions a chance to contend for the playoffs with his ability to protect the quarterback and create rushing lanes for ballcarriers.

Penei Sewell’s versatility on the line will significantly improve the Detroit Lions offense; Detroit’s playoff chances boost instantly.

In 2018, Jared Goff played his best NFL season with 561 passes for 4,688 passing yards totaling 32 touchdowns. The Rams’ offense ranked fourth; their offensive line ranked sixth by Pro Football Focus (PFF).

They went to the Super Bowl.

Sewell clarifies a position with many question marks, excluding Frank Ragnow and Taylor Decker. Halapoulivaati Vaitai gave fans false hope in his first season. A list of injuries forced him to play more inside. Not ideal.

Sewell brings a lot to the table with his pass protection, but what about helping establish the run?

Since 2015, The Lions have had the 28th worst rushing offense, ranking as the league’s worst rushing offense between 2015-2017. Sewell will change that.

In a prior blog before the draft, I described how Anthony Lynn would be the reason for the improved rush attack. Sewell plays a significant role in Lynn’s system.

Sewell’s best skill is his ability to clear space for the ball carrier. His quickness and lateral movement give him an advantage in an open field matchup with a defender. He can also clear the gaps extremely well on inside run plays.

The addition of Sewell gives Anthony Lynn, the new offensive coordinator, to improve their rushing attack. He may not have the most success as a head coach, but it is a different story as an offensive coordinator.

Penei Sewell being drafted at seventh will be discussed for years to come. A selection that fell into the team’s lap.

Welcome to Detroit, Penei. It’s time to work.