Penei Sewell has long been known as perhaps the top run-blocking tackle in the NFL. Once his work in pass protection took a step up, he moved himself into a different category.The improvement in pass protection by Sewell last season, when he was named an All-Pro for the third straight season, helped him earn the honors as the top tackle in the NFL by The Associated Press. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at tackle, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.Sewell got three first-place votes and won the voting with 55 points. Tampa Bay’s Tristan Wirfs got three first-place votes and finished second with 44 points. Denver’s Garett Bolles got the other two first-place votes and came in third with 28 points. San Francisco’s Trent Williams was fourth and Philadelphia’s Jordan Mailata was fifth.Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson, Washington’s Laremy Tunsil, the Chargers’ Rashawn Slater, the Giants’ Andrew Thomas and Chicago’s Darnell Wright also received votes.
1. Penei Sewell, Detroit LionsSewell allowed pressure on just 3.3% of pass plays last season, according to Pro FootballFocus, to rank second among right tackles and fifth among all tackles. He was also the game’s top run blocker at tackle as a key part of the running game for the Lions. Sewell’s strong overall play helped him win the award as the top protector in the league last season from PFF.After spending most of his first five seasons playing on the right side, Sewell will return to his college spot at left tackle this season as Detroit wants him protecting Jared Goff’s blindside.
