​Here’s what NFL experts and analysts are saying about the Detroit Lions selecting Blake Miller with their No. 17 pick. Getty Images
Even though the offseason consisted mainly of minicamps and organized team activities, it marked the first opportunity for Detroit to get a close look at Blake Miller, and the first impression is shaping expectations. Early indications from the Lions suggest Miller is progressing steadily, taking incremental steps each day, and is projected to be in line to start by the opening week of the regular season.
ESPN’s Eric Woodyard captured the sentiment, noting that Lions coach Dan Campbell has observed Miller “taking these small steps every day” throughout the offseason. The plan appears to be to groom him for a potential Day 1 role at right tackle, with Miller earning reps with the first unit during veteran minicamp as Detroit moves All-Pro lineman Penei Sewell from right tackle to left tackle. Miller is still finding his footing, but he is benefiting from Detroit’s veteran coaching staff and the structure they provide.
Campbell’s emphasis on Miller’s incremental progress is encouraging, as the team is deliberately easing him into responsibilities without overwhelming him. So far, Miller seems to be meeting every checkpoint, putting him on track to see playing time as early as Week 1. That early involvement would mark a swift transition from college to the professional level and would set the stage for a broader transformation along Detroit’s offensive line.
From a scouting and development perspective, the Lions’ decision to draft Miller over other possibilities like Monroe Freeling centers on Miller’s concrete experience and the upside he offers to contribute immediately. Miller spent four years as a starter at Clemson, primarily lining up at right tackle. His college resume is substantial: he logged 994 snaps as a freshman, 955 as a sophomore, 827 at right tackle with 101 left tackle snaps mixed in during his junior year, and 875 snaps again in his senior season. In total, Miller arrives in the NFL with roughly 3,631 snaps at right tackle. By comparison, Freeling comes into the league with about 1,368 snaps at left tackle. That disparity in game experience is meaningful, especially given how rare it is for players to arrive at the NFL level with such a long track record at one position.
It’s important to note that Miller’s transition is still a work in progress, particularly with the league’s varied schemes and the increased level of competition. The transfer portal era has made it less common for players to accrue an identical set of reps in a single position, which makes Miller’s depth of experience a valuable asset for the Lions. Early signs suggest he could be ahead of many rookies simply because of his familiarity with the playbook and his ability to process protections and assignments quickly.
Looking ahead, Miller is expected to compete with Larry Borom for the starting right tackle spot. Most signs point to Miller eventually taking the job, potentially securing the starter role by Week 1. Once he locks down the right tackle position, Detroit’s offensive line will be undergoing a broader overhaul, with Sewell moving to left tackle and new responsibilities filling the other spots. At center, the Lions added free-agent Cade Mays, who has started for the Carolina Panthers over the past year and a half but will be adjusting to a new system in Detroit.
Tate Ratledge returns for his second season, providing a bit of stability on the interior as a younger, developing presence. Yet Ratledge remains an ascending player, and his continued growth will play a role in how quickly Detroit can build cohesion along the line. Taken together, the Lions’ plan for Miller, Borom, Sewell, and the rest of the line suggests a concerted effort to create a fresh, versatile unit capable of strengthening both the run game and pass protection.
From an SEO and coverage perspective, the storyline centers on the clever blend of Miller’s collegiate durability and his potential to contribute right away, alongside Detroit’s strategic repositioning of Sewell and the infusion of veteran guidance from the coaching staff. If Miller progresses as projected, Detroit could benefit from a reliable, early-impact right tackle who anchors the line during a period of transition, while Sewell shifts to his new role on the left side. This combination promises to help stabilize the offense as the Lions work toward returning to consistent, playoff-caliber competition in the coming seasons.