Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The 2026 NFL Draft is about more than just replenishing the roster for the Detroit Lions — it’s a hinge moment. After consecutive deep runs followed by a last place finish in the division, the Lions enter the year with pressure on both Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes: keep the club in its championship window or face serious scrutiny. For Eagles fans watching a similar storyline in Philadelphia, the parallel is obvious — both franchises are recent contenders with dedicated fans and limited tolerance for regression. However, the pressure is even higher in Detroit for a franchise that has never tasted the pinnacle of success – reaching, never mind winning, a Super Bowl. That context makes Detroit’s biggest need clear: a reliable, pro-ready offensive tackle who can deliver now and be a catalyst to reignite the Lions once dominant rushing attack. Blake Miller fits that description better than most prospects on the board.
Expectations for the 2025 Detroit Lions were very high. They had the 5th highest odds to win the Super Bowl coming off a 15-2 division winning regular season and disappointing Divisional round loss to the Washington Commanders. Going into the 2026 season, the Detroit Lions are entering uncertain times. They have enjoyed unprecedented success over the past few seasons and, yet, there is significant pressure for HC Dan Campbell and GM Holmes entering 2026. This isn’t a make-or-break year, but if the Lions fall flat in 2026, both could be on the hot seat. Sound familiar?
The 2025 Philadelphia Eagles also entered the season with sky high expectations coming off a Super Bowl win and were in a three-way tie for the highest odds to win the Championship at the start of the season. Despite unprecedented success, questions have followed Nick Sirianni and there is continued chatter about whether he would be on the hot seat if the Eagles follow-up a disappointing 2025 season with another “dud” in 2026. Where the comparison breaks down is front office security: Howie Roseman’s front office has more job stability and roster continuity in Philly, while Holmes is under immediate pressure to hit in the first round and find players who can contribute immediately.
The Lions’ top draft needs mirror the Eagles’ biggest needs entering the 2026 season: offensive line and edge. While edge should be a consideration for pick #17, their offensive line is the biggest question mark entering 2026. The Lions have been built to Dan Campbell’s vision – to play with grit, resilience, and physicality and nowhere does that translate more than to the line of scrimmage. When at their best, the Lions’ offensive identity is built on power and dominance up front. Their rushing attack slipped in 2025 from earlier elite levels (ranking 5th and 6th, respectively, in 2023 and 2024), and the front office reacted with significant churn along the line — releasing 10-year veteran LT Taylor Decker, trading for Juice Scruggs, and signing multiple veteran retreads. For example, former Texan Juice Scruggs was rated as one of the worst guards in the league last year by PFF and Ben Bartch has spent most of his career serving as a back-up or landing on injured reserve when given the opportunity to start.
The starting offensive line currently projects to a left-to-right group of Penei Sewell (moving to LT), Christian Mahogany, Cade Mays, Tate Ratledge, and Larry Borom. Experience, cohesion, and quality remain question marks entering the draft. Detroit needs a dependable starter who can help anchor a rebuilt line and restore downhill running and physicality — a player who starts Day 1 and grows with the unit. That’s where Blake Miller becomes compelling.
Blake Miller is the archetype of an immediate-impact college tackle. A four-year starter at Clemson, Miller totaled 3,778 career snaps — a record of availability and experience that NFL teams prize. At 6’7”, 317 pounds with 34+ inch arms and a wrestling background, he pairs length and leverage with excellent lateral quickness, fluidity, and finishing instincts. Those traits matter especially when projecting quick adaptation to NFL schemes: moving Sewell to LT puts a premium on a dependable right-side bookend who can handle power and speed on a weekly basis
Part of the lack of buzz surrounding Blake Miller is because teams know exactly what they’re getting. Remaining at Clemson for all four years of his career and starting 54 games at right tackle provides for a ton of tape. Teams can get mesmerized by dreaming about what prospects might become once they enter their program and there is more to dream on when there is less tape to watch. Two prospects that often get discussed regarding their upside are Kadyn Proctor and Monroe Freeling. Both have tantalizing skillsets and athleticism, but neither has the experience or the high floor that Blake Miller does. And for all the discussion regarding how athletic Kadyn Proctor and Monroe Freeling are here is Blake Miller’s RAS score:
Blake Miller is a OT prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.97 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 6 out of 1519 OT from 1987 to 2026.
Instead of swinging for the fences, sometimes the smart thing to do is hit a double and hope that it can become an inside the park home run. Many analysts project Miller to be manning the RT spot for the next decade and doing it at a high level. With his athleticism and some solid coaching, Blake Miller could end up being a whole lot more than that. For the Lions in 2026, Blake Miller represents a pick that shores up a glaring need, offers a high floor and immediate contribution, and gives Detroit the best chance to remain contenders. In a season where margins are tiny and expectations massive, that kind of pick is worth more than a highlight reel prospect with an uncertain timeline.
2026 BGN Mock Draft Order
1) Raiders (Mailata_in_a_Miata): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2) Jets (Dr.MidnightGreen): Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
3) Cardinals (grantspectations): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
4) Titans (DrBubbles): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
5) Giants (ablesser88): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
6) Browns (kjb304): Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
7) Commanders (Jerry Robinson 56): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
8) Saints (VetStadiumSection358): David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
9) Chiefs (Hoosinole): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
10) Bengals (chuckelberryfinn): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
11) Dolphins (phillyfan): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
12) Cowboys (ejdubya): Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
13) Rams (All_Hail_Howie): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
14) Ravens (215T1LL1D1e): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
15) Buccaneers (pascofljoe): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
16) Jets (Euegene11): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
17) Lions (BCHaas): Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
18) Vikings (The Player Formerly Known as Mousecop)
19) Panthers (jaynase)
20) Cowboys (Cravin’ LeBlanc)
21) Steelers (iam4theBirdz)
22) Chargers (Aint1stULast)
23) Eagles (Philly21)
24) Browns (FierceDisc65)
25) Bears (jazztafari)
26) Bills (PhillyTexan)
27) 49ers (granthill7)
28) Texans (CrackTheEaglesNut)
29) Chiefs (z)
30) Dolphins (Booth12)
31) Patriots (Niels Rosenquist)
32) Seahawks (J. Wil)
Now it’s YOUR TURN to vote for who you think should be selected with this pick.
1) Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza
2) Jets: EDGE Arvell Reese
3) Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa
4) Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love
5) Giants: LB Sonny Styles
6) Browns: WR Carnell Tate
7) Commanders: EDGE David Bailey
8) Saints: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
9) Chiefs: S Caleb Downs
10) Bengals: CB Mansoor Delane
11) Dolphins: WR Jordyn Tyson
12) Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy
13) Rams: WR Makai Lemon
14) Ravens: OT Monroe Freeling
15) Buccaneers: TE Kenyon Sadiq
16) Jets: OG Olaivavega Ioane
17) Lions:
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