Blake Miller, stalwart OT from Clemson, is Lions' pick at No. 17
DETROIT - The Detroit Lions have drafted their tackle of the future, selecting Clemson tackle Blake Miller with the 17th pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night.
Miller, a four-year starter at Clemson, is a high-floor tackle with ample starting experience. The Lions had a significant need at offensive tackle after parting ways with longtime stalwart Taylor Decker earlier in the offseason. Detroit signed offensive tackle Larry Borom to potentially start in Decker's place, but it appears Borom and Miller will now compete for a starting job.
Miller primarily played right tackle in college, allowing the Lions to fulfill their wish of moving Penei Sewell to the left side.
Miller (6-foot-7, 317 pounds) looks like your prototypical tackle. He has great athleticism, with a Relative Athletic Score of 9.9 out of 10. He has good flexibility and bend with heavy hands, allowing him to stun defenders. He has good mental processing and is equipped to handle complex stunts and games from the opposing defensive line.
The Lions nearly had Miami edge defender Rueben Bain, one of the best defensive players in all of college football last season, fall into their laps. He was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 15.
The run on offensive linemen began at pick No. 9. After the Cleveland Browns traded back with the Kansas City Chiefs, they selected Utah tackle Spencer Fano. Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa went to the New York Giants at No. 10. Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor was taken by the Miami Dolphins at No. 12.
Several picks early in the first round flipped the consensus draft order on its head. Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey was a mild surprise to the New York Jets at No. 2, and outside linebacker Arvell Reese fell to the Giants at No. 5 after Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love went to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3.
The Rams really shook things up at pick No. 13, taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson as the successor to Matthew Stafford.
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