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Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during minicamp at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions) Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions 2 / 29
Detroit Lions cornerback AJ Parker (41) during minicamp at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions) Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions 3 / 29
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) during minicamp at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions) Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions 4 / 29
Detroit Lions safety Jalen Elliot (42) during minicamp at the Training Facility in Allen Park, MI. 2021 (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions) Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions 5 / 29
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during minicamp at the Training Facility in A
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It is one of the most difficult things to find in the NFL offensive line depth and now that the Detroit Lions have it, they seem reluctant to let it go.
When the Lions open organized team activities on Tuesday, they will do so with essentially six starters on their offensive line.
Frank Ragnow is coming off a Pro Bowl season at center. Taylor Decker is entering his sixth season as the Lions starting left tackle. Jonah Jackson played well as a rookie at left guard. And first-round pick Penei Sewell will make his on-field debut at right tackle after missing rookie minicamp with COVID-19.
Report: Lions Sign 1st Round Pick Penei Sewell
The NFL Network is reporting that the Detroit Lions have signed their top draft choice, offensive lineman Penei Sewell (pictured, #58 with Oregon teammate Justin Herbert) to a fully guaranteed 4-year, $24 million contract (also has a fifth-year team option).
Sewell was taken with the 7th overall selection in the recent NFL Draft. He did not play in 2020 for the University of Oregon because of concerns over COVID-19. And he actually missed the recent rookie camp due to contracting COVID-19. He now joins Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Jonah Jackson, and others on an improving offensive line.
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Penei Sewell finalized his rookie contract Wednesday with the Detroit Lions, according to multiple reports, and the No. 7 pick of this year s draft is expected in town to join his teammates for voluntary workouts this week.
Sewell did not take part in rookie minicamp last week after contracting COVID-19, but Lions coach Dan Campbell said his absence was not going to be any setback whatsoever. That’s not going to (be) hurt whatsoever, Campbell said. He’ll be here. We’ll get him in probably early this week. He’s been in the Zoom meetings, so schematically, he’s on it. He’ll be fine. He’ll adjust quickly. It’s not going to be any setback whatsoever.”
The Lions offensive line is stocked with young veterans. Four were drafted by the Lions. Here is a rundown of the offensive line:
Left tackle Taylor Decker, a first-round pick in 2016 out of Ohio State, is the elder statesman on the unit in terms of seniority as a Lion.
The 2020 season was Decker s best. He has become solid as a run blocker and pass protector, and he has room to improve.
Center Frank Ragnow was a first-round pick in 2018 from Arkansas. He was switched to guard as a rookie, then back to his natural center position in 2019.
Ragnow was a good guard and an outstanding center. He made the 2020 Pro Bowl. With his strength, agility and the football IQ necessary to handle the duties that go with playing center, there are even better days ahead for Ragnow.