Blake Miller: Your New Right Tackle Fix (And Yes, You Know What’s Coming Next)
Well, it finally happened. The Lions went and grabbed themselves an offensive tackle with that 17th overall pick, selecting Clemson’s Blake Miller in what feels like the most predictable move this franchise has made in years. And you know what? Sometimes predictable is exactly what you need.
After watching Taylor Decker’s body break down like a 1995 Buick on Eight Mile, the writing was on the wall. The Lions needed a tackle, and they got one who apparently bleeds that Motor City toughness we keep hearing about.
This Kid Doesn’t Know How to Quit
Here’s the part that should make every Lions fan feel something resembling hope. Miller scored a 9.67 on the so-called “Grit Index,” ranking sixth among ALL draft prospects this year. The highest among tackles, obviously.
Why’d he score so high? Because this maniac got wrist surgery during spring practice and missed exactly one day. One. For surgery. His exact quote? “I had to miss a practice for that, which kinda sucked.”
If that doesn’t sound like someone who belongs in Honolulu Blue, I don’t know what does. This is a guy who was a captain at Clemson and plays with the kind of meanness that makes offensive coordinators sleep better at night.
The Iron Man of College Football
Miller started 54 games over four years at Clemson. Never missed a single one. When Lions media asked him about the last time he missed a game, he couldn’t remember ever missing one at any level of football.
Fifty-two of those starts came at right tackle, two at left tackle. And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Penei Sewell is about to slide over to the left side, and Miller is your new right tackle. Dan Campbell basically confirmed it in his post-pick interview.
The kid is still just 22 years old, which means he’s got room to grow. In this organization, with this coaching staff, that should terrify opposing pass rushers.
Built Like a Brick House, Moves Like He Isn’t
Miller posted a 9.90 RAS score, ranking 17th among all offensive tackle prospects dating back to 1987. That’s a metric combining size, speed, and explosiveness, and he absolutely crushed it.
His arm length measures 34.25 inches with a wingspan pushing 84 inches. Those are the kind of numbers that make defensive coordinators rethink their pass rush packages. Everything you want from an offensive tackle physically, Miller has it.
The Taylor Decker Comparison That Writes Itself
Todd McShay compared Miller to the guy he’s essentially replacing: Taylor Decker. Here’s what McShay wrote: “Miller compares well to Detroit first-rounder Taylor Decker, who started 145 games for the Lions. Both are relentless and have good power, experience, toughness, and size. It’s worth noting that Miller has longer arms and tested better at his combine.”
So basically, we’re getting a younger, more athletic version of Decker in his prime. If that doesn’t make you cautiously optimistic, you haven’t been paying attention to how this team builds its offensive line.
Day One Ready (And His Coach Says So)
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney didn’t mince words about Miller after the pick: “Blake Miller is one of one. I’ve never really had one like him. This guy started every game of his entire career from being a true freshman all the way through his senior year. He only missed two practices in his whole career, never missed a game. I think he’s got day one ability. I think he walks in and he helps their football team the day he gets there.”
Coming from a coach who’s sent plenty of players to the NFL, that’s the kind of endorsement that makes you believe this pick might actually work out. Miller was Swinney’s first first-round offensive lineman, and he’s calling him “worthy” of that distinction.
Look, we’ve been burned by first-round picks before. Hell, we’ve been burned by everything before. But sometimes the simple moves are the right moves. The Lions needed a tackle, they got a tough one who doesn’t break down, and he’s ready to play immediately.
Is Miller the missing piece that finally gets this offense over the hump, or just another solid pick that keeps us competitive but not championship-bound? Let me know what you think in the comments.
Finally a tackle who actually wants to be here and won’t fall apart. Miller’s toughness is exactly what we need protecting Jared’s blind side. This feels like the kind of solid foundational move that could make a real difference for us.
Look I like the pick and his mentality seems legit, but I’ve seen promising offensive linemen come into this league before and struggle with the speed and power of real NFL pass rushers. Hope he’s everything Dabo says he is, but I’m reserving judgment until I see him play actual games.
You know what I like about this? Back in the day we built our lines with guys who just showed up and did the work. Miller reminds me of that kind of player, the type who doesn’t make excuses and just lines up ready to go. That’s something our team’s been missing.
The comparison to Decker is nice and all, but Decker was a first round pick too and we know how that story goes. I’m not saying Miller won’t be good, just saying we need to see him survive an NFL season before we’re throwing parades.