DETROIT – Detroit Lions General Manager Brad Holmes called first-round pick Blake Miller a “high-floor player” who fits the franchise’s identity after selecting the Clemson Tigers offensive tackle at No. 17 in the 2026 NFL draft.
“Big, tough, smart, he’s a finisher,” Holmes said Thursday (April 23) night. “He has unbelievable football character and work ethic. From a culture standpoint, he fits. That’s the easy part. But his ability, he’s athletic. It’s hard to find guys who can move like that and still play with that kind of finish.”
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Lions tracked Miller for three years
Holmes said the Lions have tracked Miller’s development for years, noting steady improvement each season at Clemson.
“We’ve probably been watching Blake for about three years now, and he’s gotten better every single year,” Holmes said. “That’s what excites you about a player like that. He has a high floor, but he’s still ascending.”
The Lions’ evaluation extended beyond film.
Holmes said Miller’s mindset and background reinforced the team’s belief he would be a strong cultural fit.
“When you dive into his interviews, how he answers questions, his approach, how he was raised, it’s all about grit, earning it, battling through adversity,” Holmes said. “He just kept checking boxes and rising.”
Durability, snaps log drew Lions’ attention
Miller’s durability also stood out.
He logged nearly 3,800 snaps and 54 starts in college, facing top competition in a major program.
“He’s been very durable,” Holmes said. “He’s played big-time football against really good pass rushers, and how he’s held up says a lot. When you think about Blake Miller, you sleep very good at night.”
Holmes expressed confidence that Miller can develop into a long-term starter, with potential beyond his already solid baseline.
“You’ve got high conviction he’s going to be a good starting tackle,” Holmes said. “But there’s no telling how high it can go. His strength, technique, hands, all of it has improved. There’s still a lot of growth left.”
Miller fits Lions’ physical identity up front
The selection continues Detroit’s effort to build and sustain a physical offensive line, a unit that has been central to the team’s identity in recent seasons.
“He’s a physical, gritty finisher,” Holmes said. “He’s trying to finish every play. A lot of guys say that, but his tape backs it up. I thought he was one of the better run-blocking tackles in this draft.”
Holmes said Miller’s urgency stands out on film, both in the run game and pass protection.
“He strains through the whistle,” Holmes said. “He’s not looking around for the ball; he’s trying to bury his assignment. Even in pass protection, if a rusher retraces, he stays connected and works to finish. That’s hard to do for big guys, but he does it.”
Lions explored trading up before staying at No. 17
The Lions explored moving up in the draft to secure Miller, as offensive tackles came off the board early, but ultimately stayed put and still landed their target.
“We definitely explored trading up,” Holmes said. “But once we got into the mid-teens, I felt pretty good we could stay where we were and still get him.”
Detroit also received at least one call about trading down but opted to remain at No. 17.
Holmes said the addition of Miller reflects a broader focus on youth along the offensive line.
“We’ve gotten younger, and that’s big for our future,” Holmes said. “These guys can be grown and molded into what we believe.”
Miller’s mentality, Holmes added, aligns with the tone the Lions want to set up front.
“This guy’s a real football player,” Holmes said. “Everything about him, the durability, the mindset, the way he plays, it’s going to fit right in here.”
--> Detroit Lions select Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with No. 17 pick in NFL draft