Throughout the offseason, SB Nation will host surveys for NFL fans, sponsored by the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook. For Pride of Detroit, we are tasked with fielding questions from Detroit Lions fans, and with roster construction leading up to the NFL Draft being a hot topic in the Motor City, we’ve geared this week’s question with that in mind.
This offseason, the Lions released Taylor Decker from the roster, and for the first time in a decade, Detroit will have a new starting left tackle. The Lions signed veteran Larry Borom in free agency, but with most of his starts in the NFL coming at right tackle, many have speculated that the Lions might consider shifting All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to left tackle moving forward.
Sewell was a left tackle for most of his high school and college career, and even started at left tackle as a rookie when Decker was recovering from shoulder surgery. However, while Sewell has spot-started at left tackle over the last five seasons, the majority of his time has been at right tackle in the NFL, and he’s been named an All-Pro in each of the last three seasons.
On Monday, Lions coach Dan Campbell spoke with the media at the owners’ meetings in Arizona, and he was asked about this decision. Here’s an excerpt of what he said, via Dave Birkett of the Free Press:
“I’ve talked to him. We’re ready to do that if need be. I don’t want to say that right now I’m going to commit to that, but that’s – we’re ready to do that. And all he wants is a couple days to work his left-handed stance a little bit. It’s a little bit like riding a bike for him. He’ll be fine. He’ll be fine. He’ll bank some reps and be able to do it, but he gives us that flexibility.
“If you’re asking me, I’d like to move him. I would. I’d like to move him to the left.”
And that brings us to this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey question:
Would you prefer the Lions to shift Penei Sewell to LT or keep him at RT?
Campbell noted that a positional shift for Sewell would be dependent on the players added to the roster this offseason. But that being said, most of their offseason decisions seem to point to this being a real possibility. Not only is Borom an experienced right tackle, but four of the top seven offensive tackles in this class played primarily right tackle in college, including the prospects most commonly projected near the top of the position group.
Additionally, Campbell discussed the impact of having your best offensive lineman on the left side, noting “there’s a security blanket there, subconsciously” for Jared Goff and the rest of the offense.
While those reasons make sense, should the Lions move the best right tackle in the NFL away from his position (where he’s been an All-Pro in each of the last three seasons) to accommodate others? While Sewell thinks it will only take him a few days to acclimate back to left tackle, are the Lions willing to gamble that he will be able to adjust that quickly?
Do you think Campbell is making the right decision by considering moving Sewell to left tackle? Or should he leave well enough alone and keep Sewell at right tackle? Please vote in the survey below, share your feedback in the comments, and check back later this week for the results.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lions fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
