With the 17th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected Blake Miller, offensive tackle from Clemson.
Miller is a right tackle prospect from the state of Ohio. He played his college football at the University of Clemson and was highly decorated as a multi time all-conference player. He was a four-year starter at Clemson and is 22 years old. Let’s take a look at my scouting report on him.
If you are unfamiliar with my evaluation process let me give you the quick 411. I use a weighted numeric scoring system that incorporates four major buckets to generate a score on a 0-100 scale: film/traits, analytics profile, athleticism, and intangibles. Each of those buckets has a set of position/archetype specific sub criteria. Using all-22 film, my process starts with the evaluation of every single snap a player played in his college career.
For this class, I have scored nearly 250 prospects and Miller scored as my 25th player overall. It is important to note however, my overall board is not team specific. Some players fit certain teams and systems better than others.
*You can find my formal writeups on Blake Miller and all the potential Lions Day 2 and 3 targets in my 2026 NFL Prospect Guide.
Miller brings an excellent blend of high-floor (developed technique and experience) and high-ceiling (physical traits and intangibles) to the right tackle position for the Lions. His tenacity and mental configuration is picture perfect match with the Lions identity and culture. I believe the Lions’ high-level, play-action concepts could make up for some of the deficiencies listed above.
Overall, I expect him to be a Day 1 starter and provide a smooth, steady baseline with the ability to develop into a good-starter. I even expect the Lions to get more from their starting tackles in 2026 than they did with the injured Taylor Decker a year ago. This also means Larry Borom officially takes on the “swing tackle” role which is a major upgrade to the offense that has suffered from not having viable tackle options beyond their starters.
The Lions’ OL overhaul the past two offseasons has been impressive and needed. They have more depth and youth on the OL than ever before in the Brad Holmes era. Lions offense = stock up.
Blake Miller with the collateral damage:
Miller being a savant at the second level: