Blake Miller Detroit Lions Draft Profile: Right Tackle Stability For The Offensive Line
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Blake Miller enters the NFL from Clemson with 54 career starts, right tackle experience, and a clear path to compete in Detroit’s offensive line rebuild.
#17 | OL | Blake Miller | Clemson
Ht: 6’ 5-7/8” (6057) | Wt: 321 | Hand: 9-3/4” | Arm: 34-1/4” | Wing: 83.86” | Ape: 1.08
2025 Stats: 808 Snaps | 2 SKs | 2 Hits | 5 Pen | 14 Pressures (12 Games)
Vertical: 32” | Bench: 32 Reps | Broad: 9’5” | Forty: 5.04 | 10-Split: 1.75
Key Stats: 54 Consecutive Starts | 71.3 Gap Grade | 76.6 Zone Grade
PFF: 72.4 RBG | 81.6 PBG | 76.8 Overall
Detroit can finally move Penei Sewell to the left side and rebuild the front around Jared Goff the right way. In this article, I explain why this pick makes more sense than most fans realize, what Miller actually brings from Clemson, how this changes the Lions’ tackle plan, and why Brad Holmes may have solved two offensive line problems with one draft pick.
Detroit Lions Player Profile
The Detroit Lions did not draft Blake Miller at No. 17 for depth. They drafted him to protect Jared Goff, stabilize right tackle, and give Brad Holmes the flexibility to make a bigger offensive line decision with Penei Sewell. Miller arrives from Clemson with 54 career starts, a school-record snap résumé, and a right-tackle identity built on toughness, availability, and pass-protection trust. This profile breaks down why Detroit made the pick, what Miller brings on tape, where he fits in the Lions’ run-first offensive structure, and whether this selection gives Dan Campbell the trench answer his offense needed before the window gets more expensive.
Bio & Background
Blake Miller’s football story starts in Strongsville, Ohio, where he became a four-star recruit and one of the top offensive line prospects in the Midwest. Clemson did not slow-play him. Miller started at right tackle as a true freshman, became a Freshman All-American, and never left the lineup. He finished as a three-time All-ACC offensive lineman and Clemson’s all-time leader in career snaps from scrimmage, playing 3,778 offensive snaps over 54 career starts. That is the appeal for Detroit. The Lions are not betting on mystery. They are buying one of the most durable and experienced tackles in the class.
2025 Season Recap
Miller’s 2025 season reinforced the same trait that defined his Clemson career: stability. He started every game, earned First-Team All-ACC, and finished as one of the most trusted right tackles in college football. His pass protection was the cleaner side of the evaluation, with an 81.6 pass-blocking efficiency mark and only 14 pressures allowed across 808 charted snaps. The run game showed enough physical intent to fit Detroit, but the technique still needs NFL sharpening. Miller can play high, and rushers with length will test his chest. For the Lions, the 2025 tape says high-floor right tackle with immediate competition value and long-term starter traits.
Games Played: Miller started 13 games in 2025 and finished his Clemson career with 54 starts in 54 games.
Snap Counts: Miller played 808 charted offensive snaps in 2025 and finished with a Clemson-record 3,778 career snaps; Detroit noted 96.5 percent of his college snaps came at right tackle.
Key Stats: Miller allowed 14 total pressures in 2025, including two sacks.
Advanced Metrics: Miller posted a 76.8 total offensive efficiency ranking, an 81.6 pass-blocking efficiency mark, and a 72.4 run-blocking efficiency mark.
Best Performance: His strongest verified 2025 performance came against Boston College, where he earned ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week after helping Clemson clear both 200 rushing yards and 200 passing yards.
Scouting Report
High Floor
Miller wins with size, experience, play strength, and assignment discipline. He is not a rare-space mover, but he understands angles, fits his hands with purpose, and plays with the strain Detroit wants from its tackles. In pass protection, his value comes from calm sets, veteran awareness, and the ability to process games and pressure looks without panic. The concern is leverage. Miller can play tall, and when defenders get into his chest, he has to reset late. Detroit drafted him because the floor is real: 54 starts, right-tackle experience, leadership, toughness, and a clear path to compete immediately. The ceiling depends on whether Hank Fraley can tighten the hand timing and keep his pads down against NFL edge power.
Lions Scheme Fit
Miller fits Detroit because his best football lives inside the Lions’ offensive identity: gap runs, duo, inside zone, play-action protection, and heavy personnel looks that demand tackles who can strain, cover up bodies, and finish. Clemson trusted him to live at right tackle, and Detroit values that same kind of stability. The cultural fit is just as clean. Miller’s college profile is built on durability, leadership, and week-after-week dependability. That matches a Lions room that wants offensive linemen who can function without drama, protect Jared Goff’s timing, and keep the run game physical. He is not a luxury pick. He is a roster-structure pick.
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Rock’s Take:
Blake Miller is a Lions pick because he fits the building, not just the board. Detroit needed a tackle with starter traits, cost control not the free agency market, and enough experience to compete right away. The flaws are technical, not foundational. If Miller plays lower, sharpens his hands, and handles NFL speed, this pick can stabilize right tackle and give the Lions real flexibility with Penei Sewell. Detroit did not draft him to be interesting. Detroit drafted him to protect the offense’s identity. This is as close as a Taylor Decker mock you can find just on the other side of the line.
Quotes & Notes
Brad Holmes called Miller a “really high-floor player” and pointed to his toughness, intelligence, finish, football character, and cultural fit.
Holmes also said Miller has “a lot of growth left in him,” pointing to his improving strength, technique, and hands.
Dabo Swinney’s Clemson bio framed Miller as a “hard-nosed iron man” after he started every game of his career.
Will Rock is an independent journalist covering the NFL for the Detroit Football Journal. Contact him at Mailbag@Rockedon.Com, join the chat or Follow him on X - don’t forget to catch the live Rise & Grind Morning Show Monday-Friday starting at 8am on Rocked On Detroit Lions Youtube channel.
Thank you for reading and please send it to a friend! ~ ~ Will Rock
