Blake Miller has high floor, big upside, says Lions GM Brad Holmes

The first time Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes noticed Blake Miller was 2024, when he was watching tape of Clemson in Miller's sophomore season. Holmes doesn’t remember who Miller was playing or what exactly he did in the game, but he thought enough of the young lineman – in his second of four seasons as a starter – to write a note to himself: “This kid’s a football player. ” Two years later, after seeing steady growth in Miller’s development, Holmes made Miller the 17 th pick of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft – and the final piece of the Lions ’ rebuilt offensive line.

MITCH ALBOM: Blake Miller a safe 1st-round draft pick for Detroit Lions' life in the middle “His urgency and athleticism, that was the first thing that really kind of caught my eye,” Holmes said. “I thought he had some things that he needed to work on from a strength-development standpoint, but I said – so this is off of ‘23 tape –I was like, ‘Man, if this guy gets stronger, man, this guy’s a football player here. ’ “And sure enough, ’24 came, he got better.

And ’25, it was like, ‘25, it was to the point where it was like, ‘Yeah, there’s no issues here. ’ And it’s a testament to him and his work ethic, so I’m not surprised 'cause this guy’s a high football-character individual. ” Miller is expected to compete immediately at starting right tackle on a Lions offensive line that could have new starters at four different positions this fall.

All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell is expected to move to left tackle to replace the departed Taylor Decker. Free-agent addition Cade Mays will take over for Graham Glasgow at center. The Lions plan to have a training camp competition for the left guard job, where Christian Mahogany returns at starter.