Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill earn spots on PFF all-rookie team

Good seasons from a pair of Detroit Lions rookies were rewarded with some recognition this week. Right tackle Penei Sewell and defensive tackle Alim McNeill earned spots on the Pro Football Focus all-rookie team for 2021.

Sewell had a strong overall year but really took off once he moved to the right side. He was PFF’s third-rated right tackle following his move from the left side. Detroit’s first-round pick was also the NFL’s youngest player in 2021.

McNeill’s solid play on the defensive interior carried him to the top of what was a fairly weak rookie D-line class. A third-round pick from North Carolina State, McNeill finished the year with two of his top three PFF game grades for the season in the last two weeks.

Missing from the list is wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. He is a tough omission but had some very stiff competition in Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and Miami’s Jaylen Waddle. Kicker Riley Patterson also lost out to a Bengals rookie, though Patterson played very well once taking over the duties in Detroit.