Meet Your New Right Tackle
The Lions snagged Blake Miller out of Clemson with the 17th pick, and let me tell you something: this kid has the resume of someone who doesn’t know how to fail. Four years as a starter from day one. Started all 54 possible games. Missed one practice in his entire college career.
One practice. In four years.
We’ve seen what happens when the Lions get their hands on offensive linemen with that kind of motor and mentality. Miller isn’t just another body, he’s a 6-foot-7, nearly 320-pound wrecking ball with over 34-inch arms and a 99th percentile athleticism score. The kind of freak athlete that makes you wonder if Brad Holmes has some sort of crystal ball tucked away in Allen Park.
The Good News Gets Better
Miller’s resume reads like a Lions fan’s fever dream. Freshman All-American. All-ACC First Team for 2024 and 2025. Permanent team captain in 2025. Oh, and he was a state champion wrestler in Ohio, because apparently being a football monster wasn’t enough.
But here’s what really matters: this guy brings the nasty. He’s a tone setter in the run game who carries defenders 20 yards downfield like they owe him money. His ability to latch onto defenders and finish through the whistle is exactly what Ben Johnson’s offense needs on the right side.
In pass protection, he’s allowed just 3 sacks and 5 QB hits over nearly 1100 snaps the past two seasons. That’s a pressure rate under 3 percent. For a Lions offense that’s finally found its rhythm, that kind of protection is gold.
Reality Check Time
Look, Miller isn’t perfect. His pad level can get sloppy, and when he gets beat in pass protection, it’s usually on inside counters. Swim moves and spin moves have given him trouble, which should be fixable but is still concerning.
The scary part? He’s gotten beaten inside on vertical sets by playing with too much urgency. And as the scout notes, Jared Goff isn’t exactly Russell Wilson when it comes to dealing with interior pressure.
But this is where the Lions’ offensive system might be Miller’s salvation. All those play-action concepts that make Goff look like Tom Brady? They could cover up those inside counter issues while Miller develops his recovery skills.
The Bigger Picture
Miller slots in as a Day 1 starter, which means Larry Borom becomes the swing tackle. That’s a massive upgrade to an offense that has been one injury away from disaster at the tackle spots.
The Lions have been methodically rebuilding their offensive line depth, and Miller represents the latest piece of that puzzle. He’s 22 years old with elite athleticism, proven college production, and the kind of finishing ability that fits perfectly with Detroit’s identity.
This pick screams high floor, high ceiling. Miller brings the technique and experience to contribute immediately while having the physical tools to develop into something special. For a franchise that’s finally figured out how to build through the trenches, that combination is exactly what you want at pick 17.
Is Miller going to be the anchor that finally gives us a championship-level offensive line, or are we setting ourselves up for more heartbreak when he struggles with inside pressure? Let me know what you think below.
