Projecting rookie roles for every Detroit Lions pick in 2026 NFL Draft

After saying goodbye to a number of veteran contributors in free agency due to what general manager Brad Holmes described as "financial constraints," the Detroit Lions needed a productive haul in the 2026 NFL Draft to solidify themselves as contenders for next season. Was that accomplished late last week? The truth is we won't know for sure until the pads come on and the games begin to count in September.

But we can do our best in the meantime, based on what we know about the newcomers and Detroit's roster, to predict how impactful each of the seven draftees will be as rookies. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson (Round 1) The Lions kicked off their draft by selecting Miller , a four-year starter at Clemson, with the 17th overall pick. Miller was dependable and durable over his 54 appearances with the Tigers, and he showed consistent improvement each season.

A plus athlete who's been identified by Holmes as a "finisher," Miller should fit right in with Detroit. He could stand to add some weight to his lower half to improve his anchor, but he threw up 32 reps on the bench press at the combine in February, and he has the measurables (6-foot-6¾, 317 pounds, 34¼-inch arms) of a prototypical NFL tackle. One of the first things Lions coach Dan Campbell told Miller was he won't be handed anything.

With All-Pro superstar Penei Sewell likely shifting to the left side in 2026, Miller and Larry Borom — the latter of whom signed this offseason on a one-year deal worth $5 million — will duke it out to start at right tackle. Miller played the position throughout college. Borom has experience at multiple spots since entering the NFL in 2021, though he was at his best when he started 11 contests at RT for the Miami Dolphins in 2025.