The Miller Grade Collection: Lions Get Mixed Reviews for Clemson Tackle
Round 1 is officially in the books, which means every draft guru in America just fired up their computers to tell us exactly who won and lost the night. Blake Miller is officially a Detroit Lion, and the verdict from the peanut gallery is… well, it’s complicated.
The Lions were mostly praised for addressing what everyone knew was their biggest need after Taylor Decker’s departure. But here’s the thing that’ll make your eye twitch: Miller ranked 31st on Wide Left’s consensus big board. At pick 17, that’s what we call a reach in polite company.
And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling was still on the board. The same Monroe Freeling who went just two picks later. But before you spiral into full panic mode, remember this: the experts also noted that Miller fits Detroit’s culture and scheme like a glove.
The Good News: Mostly A’s and B’s
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter handed out an A, saying Miller’s “combination of experience and physicality must have endeared him to the decision-makers in Detroit.” He even backed the Lions for passing on Freeling, which feels like something we’ll be debating for years.
Sports Illustrated gave Miller an A-, calling him a “polished starter who should step in immediately.” At 6’6″ and 317 pounds with 54 college starts, the guy certainly has the resume. Only turned 22 in February, so we’re not dealing with an old prospect either.
The Athletic chimed in with a B+, noting Miller’s two first-team All-ACC selections and confirming what we all suspected: Penei Sewell is moving to left tackle. They did raise an eyebrow about why Detroit picked Miller over other tackle candidates in the same tier.
The Reality Check: Some Concerns
The Ringer’s Danny Kelly delivered the most Lions-fan-appropriate take, calling it “a very Lionsy pick.” Miller is tough and durable, which fits Dan Campbell’s vision perfectly. But Kelly ranked Miller 43rd overall, making this feel like a reach at 17.
CBS Sports dropped a C on the pick, suggesting the Lions prioritized immediate readiness over best player available. That’s the kind of criticism that hits different when you’ve watched this franchise make questionable draft decisions for decades.
SB Nation pointed out Miller’s biggest technical flaw: he plays too high. The two sacks he allowed — one against Louisville and another against SMU — both came from pad level issues. In the NFL, that gets you killed.
Local Love vs. National Skepticism
The hometown crowd is predictably more optimistic. The Detroit News handed out an A, while Pride of Detroit readers went 72% A-grade on the pick. Even the Free Press gave it a B, praising Miller’s athleticism and versatility for the new offense.
Here’s what matters though: PFF gave Miller 70.0-plus grades in each of his four college seasons. Nearly 4,000 offensive snaps of consistency. That’s not flashy, but it’s exactly what this Lions team needs right now.
The consensus seems to be this: Miller makes sense for where Detroit is as an organization. He’s experienced, tough, and ready to start immediately. Whether he was worth pick 17 when other tackles were available is the million-dollar question we won’t answer for a few years.
So what’s the verdict, Lions fans: did Brad Holmes nail this pick or are we about to spend the next three years wondering what could have been with Freeling? Drop your take below.
