Offensive tackle Penei Sewell is one of five Detroit Lions to make Pro Football Focus’ list of the best players under 25.
The fact that Detroit players account for 20% of the list demonstrates that they have been one of the NFL’s most successful teams in drafting and developing young players over the last three years.
EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tight end Sam LaPorta, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs will join Sewell, the top-ranked player.
An excerpt from what was written about Sewell reads: “His 3,359 regular-season snaps over the past three seasons rank second among all players, and he is on his way to becoming the best offensive lineman in the league.”
Sewell inked a four-year, $112 million contract extension during this summer.
Hutchinson is rated sixth.
Part of his assessment reads: “Hutchinson showed promise in his rookie season in 2022, but he took his game to the next level in 2023.” His 91.2 PFF pass-rushing grade ranked fifth, after only four top players: Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons, Nick Bosa, and T.J. Watt.
St. Brown, who inked a four-year, $120 million agreement, is ranked eleventh.
A portion of his remarks reads: “He was one of just three wide receivers to earn PFF overall grades above 90.0 in both 2022 and 2023, with Tyreek Hill and Justin Jefferson being the other two.”
LaPorta is ranked No. 19.
Here is a quote from the tight end’s statement: “His 981 regular-season snaps as a rookie lead all tight ends over the last six seasons by a substantial margin. In addition, his overall and receiving grades are second only to Kyle Pitts’ rookie season at that time.”
Gibbs is ranked 21.
A piece of Gibbs’ observation is: “Following Week 7 — after his return from injury — he earned a 78.0 PFF overall grade, which ranked 11th among running backs, while his 82.0 rushing grade tied for seventh at the position.”
