The Detroit Lions used the 17th pick to grab Blake Miller, the right tackle out of Clemson. And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Another offensive lineman in the first round? Welcome to the Dan Campbell era, where we build trenches like we’re preparing for actual warfare.
Miller brings some serious credentials to Allen Park. The kid posted elite scores on both the GRIT Index and athleticism measurements, including a 9.90 RAS score. Translation: he’s got the character and the physical tools that this coaching staff drools over.
Competition Time in Honolulu Blue
Here’s where it gets interesting. Miller isn’t walking into a guaranteed starting spot. He’ll be battling Larry Borom for the right tackle position, which means we actually have depth and competition on the offensive line. Remember when our backup plan was crossing our fingers and hoping nobody got hurt? Those days feel like a fever dream now.
The pick makes sense when you consider what this franchise has been building. We’ve watched Dan Campbell preach about controlling the line of scrimmage since day one. This isn’t some flashy skill position pick that gets the fantasy football crowd excited, but it’s exactly the kind of move that wins games in January.
The Brad Holmes Blueprint
This selection fits the mold perfectly. High character, high athleticism, plays a premium position. Holmes has been methodical about building this roster, and adding another potential starter on the offensive line continues that blueprint.
Miller’s college tape shows the kind of nasty, physical play that translates well to what the Lions want to do offensively. He’s not just a body, he’s a legitimate talent who could start from day one if he wins the competition.
Sure, maybe some fans wanted a more exciting pick. But after decades of reaching for need or getting cute with selections, there’s something refreshing about taking the best player available who also happens to fill a position of importance.
Is this another home run draft pick or are we overthinking a boring offensive line selection? Let me know what grade you’re giving this pick in the comments.
Finally someone gets it. Campbell’s vision for this team is about DOMINATING at the line and Miller fits that to a tee. I love that we’re not getting cute with the picks anymore, just building a team that’s gonna smash mouth football into people’s faces.
Look, I hear the optimism and I want to believe it, but I’ve been burned too many times waiting for this team to put it all together. Another lineman sounds great in theory but I need to see it actually working before I get hyped up.
This is the kind of pick that used to drive me nuts back in the day when we’d reach for whatever looked shiny. But Campbell’s approach feels different – it’s boring, yeah, but boring used to beat us every year. Feels nice being on the other side of that for once.
The competition at RT between Miller and Borom is exactly what we need. Having actual depth on this line instead of praying nobody gets hurt is gonna make us so much better.