With Detroit Lions coaching camp simply across the nook, one of the vital tantalizing place battles will happen at proper deal with. Will first-round rookie Blake Miller seize the job instantly, or will veteran Larry Borom prevail onto the beginning function? As my Detroit Lions participant profile collection continues, it’s time to take a better take a look at one of many franchise’s most essential draft picks: offensive deal with Blake Miller.
Detroit chosen Miller with the No. 17 general choose within the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the Lions’ first first-round offensive deal with since they drafted Penei Sewell in 2021. The choice wasn’t nearly changing a starter—it was about securing one other cornerstone for one of many NFL’s premier offensive traces.
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Miller arrives in Detroit after an impressive four-year profession at Clemson, the place he began all 54 video games of his collegiate profession. Even extra spectacular, he by no means missed a single offensive snap, ending with a school-record 3,778 profession snaps. Durability has turn into certainly one of Miller’s defining traits. He has even stated he has missed just one soccer follow because the eighth grade, a stage of dependability that undoubtedly appealed to basic supervisor Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.
At 6-foot-6¾ and 317 kilos, Miller possesses the dimensions, athleticism and motion abilities NFL groups covet. A former wrestler, he combines spectacular stability with excellent lateral quickness, permitting him to reflect edge rushers whereas remaining underneath management in go safety. Although he isn’t thought of an overwhelming mauler, he performs with a relentless, bodily mentality and constantly appears to be like to complete blocks by means of the whistle.
His athletic testing additional bolstered his elite traits. Miller posted a 9.90 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), rating seventeenth amongst 1,645 offensive deal with prospects examined since 1987. He ran a 5.04-second 40-yard sprint, putting within the 86th percentile amongst offensive tackles, whereas his 32-inch vertical soar, 113-inch broad soar and 32 bench press reps all ranked in a minimum of the 87th percentile on the place.
The manufacturing matched the athletic profile. In 2025, Miller earned a 78.5 general Pro Football Focus grade, together with a powerful 83.5 pass-blocking grade. He surrendered simply two sacks, two quarterback hits and 14 whole pressures whereas committing solely 5 penalties. Over his four-year Clemson profession, he allowed solely seven sacks regardless of dealing with a few of the nation’s prime go rushers.
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Miller additionally leaves Clemson with a powerful record of accolades. He was a two-time First-Team All-ACC choice, a Third-Team All-ACC honoree in 2023, a Freshman All-American in 2022 and served as a crew captain throughout his remaining season. He additionally set Clemson information for each consecutive begins by a non-specialist and profession offensive snaps.
The greatest query coming into coaching camp is whether or not Miller is able to begin instantly. Borom supplies beneficial NFL expertise, however the Lions invested a first-round choose in Miller as a result of they imagine he has the potential to turn into their long-term reply at proper deal with. His sturdiness, athleticism and polished go safety give him each alternative to win the job earlier than Week 1.
My expectation is that Miller finally earns the beginning function throughout coaching camp. There will undoubtedly be a studying curve, however his expertise and work ethic recommend he’ll be a fixture on Detroit’s offensive line for years to come back.