The Detroit Lions got their guy in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, landing Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller at pick No. 17 overall.
The initial reaction from Lions fans was overwhelmingly positive on draft night. But, for Detroit fans looking for reasons to fall in love with Miller at No. 17, here’s five things to know about the newest Detroit Lion:
Blake Miller is an iron man
Blake Miller set school records at Clemson, starting a record 54 straight games and logging a record 3,778 career snaps from scrimmage. Miller, who never missed a game in either high school or college, said on draft night that he couldn’t recall missing a game in middle school either.
Miller missed one practice during his Clemson career and it was so he could undergo a wrist surgery.
For a Lions franchise that’s dealing with plenty of injury issues in other places, Detroit seems like it’s found the definition of durability at offensive tackle.
Blake Miller brings prototypical size, athleticism to the equation
Blake Miller was drafted in round 1 with pick 17 in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.90 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 17 out of 1645 OT from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/7Z6ntfg8MNpic.twitter.com/iaWcj8yfJ6
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 24, 2026
The unofficial NFL standard at offensive tackle is an arm length greater than 33 inches. NFL teams view that 33-inch arm length threshold as a measuring stick to help determine whether or not a prospect can consistently control defenders by engaging them early, creating leverage and increasing margin for error against the league’s top edge rushers.
Miller’s arm length measured at 34 1/4 inches the NFL Scouting Combine. The 6-foot-6, 317-pound offensive tackle boasts prototypical size.
Miller’s Relative Athletic Score (RAS) was elite, ranking 17th out of 1,645 offensive tackles from 1987-2026.
Blake Miller is perceived as plug-and-play at right tackle
After Taylor Decker’s release, the Lions’ need for an offensive tackle was ratcheted up. Lions head coach Dan Campbell said earlier this offseason that Detroit was considering moving Penei Sewell over to left tackle.
In Miller’s 54 starts, 53 came at right tackle. With that type of extended track record at right tackle, there’s really no reason to move Miller from right to left tackle.
It’s a draft pick that makes sense because of the Lions’ offensive tackle need and because it comfortably pairs with the organization’s desire to move Sewell over to left tackle.
PFF numbers look great
Miller’s Pro Football Focus numbers were impressive last season. The Clemson offensive tackle posted an 83.5 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025 and surrendered only two sacks and two quarterback hits in 2025, per PFF. Miller allowed just a 2.8% pressure rate in 2025, per PFF.
Miller was a first-team All-ACC selection in both 2024 and 2025.
Blake Miller started weightlifting at 8 years old
In Dane Brugler’s annual “The Beast” for The Athletic, Brugler shared that Miller started weightlifting at 8 years old. Miller started lifting with the varsity football team in seventh grade. The Clemson star also has a wrestling background, where he won an OAC state championship.
Miller has enjoyed some freaky traits for a long time. And that’s great news for Lions fans.
Here’s what Brugler wrote about Miller in closing in “The Beast”:
He earned a starting job from day one at Clemson and was a model of consistency for a mostly inconsistent college offense. He started all 54 games the past four seasons (most consecutive starts by a non-specialist in school history) and set the Clemson record for career offensive snaps played (3,778).
Miller has a good mix of on-field talent and intangibles. In pass protection, he is quick off the ball, with the range to mirror rushers up the arc and a surprisingly sturdy anchor to answer different types of rushers. Miller also shows his foot quickness and physical demeanor to move bodies in the run game. He isn’t a great bender, though, and savvy NFL rushers will find some success using his aggressive techniques against him. His coaches rave about his smarts and football character
(NFL scout: “I think he missed one practice in four years. The thought of letting down his coaches and teammates kills him.”). Overall, Miller has an upright play style that could lead to issues vs. NFL competition, but he has the type of profile (physical traits, football IQ, competitive toughness) that teams will bet on every time. He should compete for a starting right tackle role as a rookie. – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: 5 things to know about Detroit Lions NFL draft pick Blake Miller