Who Will Win NFL Protector of the Year? Sewell Opens as Favorite

In 2025, the NFL finally added a new award to recognize the most outstanding offensive lineman. As the most unheralded position, the big men up front are now included in the NFL Honors with the Protector of the Year award.

The inaugural award went to Bears OL Joe Thuney, after playing a big role in protecting Caleb Williams and pushing the team toward an 11-6 season. He beat out a handful of big names, including this year's frontrunner.

Penei Sewell opens as the favorite to win the Protector of the Year award this season, according to DraftKings Sportsbook (converted from American odds to implied probability). Let's look at the other top candidates and break down why they could become the second big fella to receive the top honor for NFL linemen.

If there were such a thing as the perfect offensive lineman, it's Penei Sewell. He has no real weakness in his game and is a key piece of the Lions' explosive offense. Heck, he'll even catch a pass or two when his number is called.

Every other lineman on this list has a quarterback who can make plays with their legs. Jared Goff, however, is very dependent on his line keeping a clean pocket. That makes Sewell's job all the more important. Without him, Goff goes from looking like a very good quarterback to an average one.

Also, it's expected that running back Jahmyr Gibbs is going to have a massive season, now that the backfield solely belongs to him. If Gibbs makes a push for Offensive Player of the Year (which he is favored to win), then it could go hand in hand with the player leading the push on the line.

The Lions took a step back last season, missing the playoffs. If they can get back into contention, then Sewell looks like the clear favorite to win Protector of the Year.

The former top-5 pick has looked like one of the best offensive linemen in the league since entering, at either right tackle or left tackle.

The Los Angeles Chargers managed to make the playoffs in 2025, despite probably having the worst offensive line play in the league. Unfortunately for Joe Alt, last season ended in injury. Fortunately for Alt's case for this award, his impact was obvious based on how poor the unit looked without him.

If Alt can stay healthy, he can certainly make the jump to becoming the number one tackle in the league. Playing in a new scheme under OC Mike McDaniels could also benefit the 6'8" Alt, who is surprisingly light on his feet for his size.

Tristan Wirfs has been among the best tackles in the league for years now, usually ranked right behind Sewell. He protected Tom Brady en route to a Super Bowl victory as a rookie in 2020, and hasn't slowed down in performance since.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is dealing with contract issues, but the team expects him to be around for this season. For a lineman to stand out for this award, it certainly helps to have good quarterback play behind you. That could hold Wirfs back in this race, especially if the Bucs look like they did in the 2nd half of last season.

However, from an individual perspective, Wirfs is as good as any lineman in the NFL, and hopefully his consistent play isn't taken for granted by voters.

At 38 years old, Trent Williams may not be who he once was. However, even a Trent Williams who has lost a step is still among the elite offensive linemen.

Staying healthy has been an issue for Trent throughout his career, but when he is healthy, he is nothing short of dominant. For his size, Williams is a freak athlete. He is a player who can do whatever he is asked, whether that is driving the player in front of him into another time zone or even pulling around the corner.

Williams is the clear leader of the 49ers offensive line, which is a bit thin in other areas. The Niners rely heavily on 'Silverback' and run his direction at an alarming rate. Trent is asked to be a key piece in Kyle Shannahan's offense, and is still capable of leading the unit even at his age.

As the only non-tackle in the top 5, Creed Humphrey is well regarded as the best center in the NFL. PFF would agree, with Humphrey being the highest-graded center last season, with a score of 88.8.

The Chiefs failed to make the playoffs last season, after making it to 5 of the previous 6 Super Bowls. As we know, linemen don't get the credit they deserve, but it's hard to say the Chiefs would have had the same level of success without Humphrey. As the center, he is the glue of not only the O-line, but the offense.

Patrick Mahomes is coming off a major knee injury, and the Chiefs are coming off a major letdown season. If anyone can be trusted to keep the team together through controversy, it's the leader of the offensive line.