Latest news with #ProtectoroftheYear
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Oregon football star Penei Sewell favored to win NFL 'Protector of the Year' award
The NFL was in a longstanding conundrum, offensive linemen are arguably among the most critical positions in the field, but there was never a way to honor them. That has all changed this year as the league announced a new award a couple of months back called the 'Protector of the Year.' The award will highlight the best offensive lineman each season, and, like any other honor given out by the NFL, people have already begun betting on who they think will be the winner. The only perceived downside to this unveiling is that offensive tackles are valued much higher than guards, which could skew the voting. This is already evident in the betting odds as eight of the 10 favorites are tackles. The man with the best betting odds to win the award is former Oregon Ducks star Penei Sewell, who is widely considered to be one of the best all-around linemen in the game. Sewell leads the way with +650 odds, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, followed by Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson at +750. Behind those two is San Francisco 49ers OT Trent Williams, with +900 odds. As a former first-round pick, Sewell entered the league with high expectations after winning the Outland Trophy with the Ducks. In his four years with the Detroit Lions, he has reportedly only given up one sack, which almost seems impossible. Unless the NFL has plans to regulate how many times a person can win the award, there is a chance Sewell will win many years in a row. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 NFL Protector of the Year Odds: Sewell Favored To Win Inaugural Award
A lineman is a quarterback's best friend. And now, those best friends will have a chance to be rewarded. The NFL is introducing a new award ahead of this upcoming season: Protector of the Year. Let's check out the odds for the honor at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 30. NFL Protector of the Year odds Penei Sewell: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total) Lane Johnson: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total) Trent Williams: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total) Tristan Wirfs: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total) Jordan Mailata: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total) Quenton Nelson: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Dion Dawkins: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Rashawn Slater: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total) Creed Humphrey: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total) Laremy Tunsil: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total) Joe Alt: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total) The new award was announced in May, and it will be handed out alongside MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and other awards at the NFL Honors event at season's end. While technically an offensive lineman could win OPOY or even MVP, it's of course, never happened. Either a quarterback, running back or wide receiver has won every OPOY award in NFL history, and either a quarterback or running back has won every MVP except on three occasions, when the award went to a kicker (1982 — Mark Moseley), defensive tackle (1971 — Alan Page) and linebacker (1986 — Lawrence Taylor). In short, offensive linemen have only been honored by being named to the Pro Bowl or All-Pro teams. But that injustice is no more. Atop the board is Lions right tackle Penei Sewell, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro selection. Second is Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro selection and two-time Super Bowl champion. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New NFL Award Could Favor Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Lineman
In the interest of finally marketing the big guys who work the hardest in the trenches and finally putting offensive linemen on center stage, the NFL has announced a new league award. And it seems like something Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Tristan Wirfs should be up for each and every season he's in the league. Advertisement The Protector of the Year Award will be handed out each year at the NFL Honors presentation show and will recognize the best offensive lineman that season. Former Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth described the award best. 'This award means everything to the big guys up front,' said Whitworth. 'The Protector of the Year isn't just about stats – it's about the mindset, grit, and leadership it takes to be the foundation of a football team. It's time the men who lead, protect, and never ask for credit are recognized as the backbone of this game.' A press release by the NFL noted, "The award honors individual excellence and spotlights offensive linemen, whose contributions are often overlooked in the highlight-driven nature of football. It cements their role as the foundation of every great offense. Currently, offensive linemen are the only players who aren't eligible for most on-field awards." Advertisement The winner will be selected by a panel of former offensive linemen based on skill metrics, impact, leadership, durability and strength of opponent. The initial panel includes former players, LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O'Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Whitworth. As the Bucs' current left tackle, Wirfs is the only player to make the Pro Bowl as a right tackle and a left tackle, and he's been voted to the Pro Bowl in four of his first five seasons in the NFL. The former Iowa Hawkeye has also received two First-Team All-Pro honors and one Second-Team All-Pro honor. Related: Bucs Predicted To Cut Fan-Favorite from Loaded Receivers Room Related: Ex Buccaneers Assistant GM Discusses Tampa Bay Draft Hits and Misses New NFL Award Could Favor Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Lineman first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 22, 2025
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Buccaneers Offensive Lineman Favored for NFL's New Protector of the Year Award
Buccaneers Offensive Lineman Favored for NFL's New Protector of the Year Award originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Last month, the NFL announced a new postseason award geared toward giving the best offensive linemen in the league a little national media attention. Advertisement The Protector of the Year Award will be handed out each year at the NFL Honors presentation show and will recognize the best offensive lineman that season. Former Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth described the award best. 'This award means everything to the big guys up front,' said Whitworth. 'The Protector of the Year isn't just about stats – it's about the mindset, grit, and leadership it takes to be the foundation of a football team. It's time the men who lead, protect, and never ask for credit are recognized as the backbone of this game.' As we approach 2025, it seems that the oddsmakers favor Buccaneers standout protector Tristan Wirfs for the award, making him an 8-1 favorite with third-beat odds behind Detroit's Penei Sewell at 3-1 and San Francisco's Trent Williams at 7-1. Advertisement A press release by the NFL noted, "The award honors individual excellence and spotlights offensive linemen, whose contributions are often overlooked in the highlight-driven nature of football. It cements their role as the foundation of every great offense. Currently, offensive linemen are the only players who aren't eligible for most on-field awards." The winner will be selected by a panel of former offensive linemen based on skill metrics, impact, leadership, durability and strength of opponent. The initial panel includes former players, LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O'Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Whitworth. As the Bucs' current left tackle, Wirfs is the only player to make the Pro Bowl as a right tackle and a left tackle, and he's been voted to the Pro Bowl in four of his first five seasons in the NFL. The former Iowa Hawkeye has also received two First-Team All-Pro honors and one Second-Team All-Pro honor. Advertisement Related: Haason Reddick Absent from Buccaneers Voluntary OTAs ... So What? Related: Buccaneers' Todd Bowles Announces Two Joint Practices Ahead of Preseason Games This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Offensive lineman will finally get some love on the NFL awards ballot. Which Dallas Cowboys protector has the best shot at winning the award?
Offensive lineman will finally get some love on the NFL awards ballot. Which Dallas Cowboys protector has the best shot at winning the award? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It's about time offensive linemen get some more notoriety around the NFL. Advertisement They play some of the most demanding positions on the field, but are hardly ever recognized appropriately. The league is hoping to change that with a new addition to the regular season awards ballot this year. Alongside mainstays like MVP and Defensive Player of the Year will be "Protector of the Year". The award will annually honor the season's best lineman and be voted on by a panel of former great O-lineman from across NFL history. Yes, only one lineman will receive the honor each season. With at least five playing regularly on each team ... that makes for a loaded competition pool. This encouraged Pro Football Network to highlight one player on each team who has the best shot at winning the award in its inaugural season. Advertisement To no surprise, the Dallas Cowboys lineman picked was left guard Tyler Smith. He was ranked the 11th-most-likely contender for the award across the entire NFL. "After the retirement of Zack Martin, the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line is Smith's group now," the article said. "He's been a Pro Bowler each of the last two years and should be in the mix for Protector of the Year, especially if the Cowboys' passing attack fares well with Dak Prescott throwing to the tandem of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens." The names listed above Smith were Penei Sewell, Tristan Wirfs, Jordan Mailata, Creed Humphrey, Trent Williams, Rashawn Slater, Quinn Meinerz, Chris Lindstrom, Laremy Tunsil and Joe Thuney. Advertisement Dallas' first-rounder from 2022 has been nothing short of exceptional, starting every game he's been healthy for since joining "America's Team". At just 24 years old, Smith was acknowledged earlier this offseason as one of just two offensive lineman named to the top 25 under 25 list that showcases the league's best young talent. This season, Smith will look to lead a very inexperienced offensive line protecting QB Dak Prescott. The longest-tenured player in the projected starting lineup is five-year pro Terence Steele, with Smith being the next oldest. If he continues his exceptional play, not only will the Tulsa product be in the running to walk away with a new award, he could be expecting a major pay day in his rookie extension. Advertisement Winning the Protector of the Year award would go a long way in making that happen and solidifying Tyler Smith's odds of being the next great Cowboys lineman. Related: Cowboys Make Official $21 Million Decision on 2-Time Pro Bowler Related: Cowboys Experimenting with Offensive Line Versatility This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
