The Lions didn’t just make a pick—they made a statement. By drafting Blake Miller at No. 17, Detroit doubled down on dominance in the trenches, setting the stage for a major shift on the offensive line and a future built to overpower defenses.
The Detroit Lions made their intentions clear Thursday night, selecting Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the 17th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The move signals a likely shift for Penei Sewell, who is expected to move to left tackle as Detroit reshuffles its front five for the future.
At 6-foot-6¾ and 317 pounds, Miller arrives in Detroit with a rare combination of experience, durability and athletic upside. A former high school wrestler, he started 54 consecutive games at Clemson and set the program’s all-time record with 3,778 offensive snaps, a testament to both his toughness and consistency. His selection marks the first time the Lions have used a first-round pick on a tackle since drafting Sewell in 2021, further emphasizing general manager Brad Holmes’ commitment to building through the trenches.
Miller projects immediately as Detroit’s right tackle, forming what could become one of the NFL’s premier bookend combinations alongside Sewell. While his raw strength is considered solid rather than dominant, Miller’s game is defined by fluidity and efficiency. He is an incredibly smooth mover for his size, showcasing outstanding lateral quickness that allows him to mirror pass rushers and stay balanced in protection.
His athletic testing numbers back up the film. Miller recorded a 5.04-second 40-yard dash, ranking in the 86th percentile among offensive tackles. He also posted a 32-inch vertical (87th percentile), a 113-inch broad jump (90th percentile) and 32 bench press reps (91st percentile). Altogether, those metrics contributed to a 9.90 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), placing him 17th out of 1,645 offensive tackles evaluated between 1987 and 2026.
Production-wise, Miller was as steady as they come at Clemson. In 2025, he earned a 76.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, including an 81.6 pass-blocking grade and a 72.4 run-blocking grade. He allowed just two sacks, two quarterback hits and 14 total pressures that season while committing five penalties. Over the course of his college career, he surrendered seven sacks and eight quarterback hits — impressive numbers given the volume of snaps he played against top-tier ACC competition.
His year-by-year progression also highlights his development. As a freshman in 2022, Miller posted a 71.8 overall grade, anchored by strong run blocking but inconsistent pass protection. By 2025, he had evolved into a reliable pass protector, cutting down on penalties and refining his technique against speed rushers. That growth helped him earn First-Team All-ACC honors in both 2024 and 2025, along with Freshman All-American recognition early in his career and a team captain role in his final season.
Beyond the numbers, Miller’s play style stands out. He is a highly competitive blocker with a clear finisher’s mentality, consistently looking to drive defenders through the whistle. While his hand size (9¾ inches) may fall slightly below prototypical thresholds, he compensates with strong hand placement and timing. His wrestling background shows up in his leverage and balance, particularly in tight quarters.
There are still areas to refine. Miller’s play strength, while adequate, can be inconsistent against elite power rushers, and he will need to continue developing his anchor at the next level. However, those concerns are relatively minor compared to his overall profile as a polished, high-floor prospect with significant upside.
In Detroit, Miller will benefit from working under respected offensive line coach Hank Fraley, whose track record of developing linemen has been instrumental in the Lions’ rise. With Fraley’s guidance and the presence of established veterans around him, Miller will have an ideal environment to transition to the NFL.
Ultimately, this pick reflects a clear philosophy: protect the quarterback, control the line of scrimmage and build sustainable success from the inside out. By adding Blake Miller, the Lions aren’t just filling a need — they’re reinforcing an identity that has already turned them into contenders, and one that could push them even closer to a Super Bowl breakthrough.