Blake Miller Sends Postitve Message After Public Outrage
The Detroit Lions fans were not happy when the front office selected Clemson Tigers' Blake Miller. They picked him with their 17th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft when there were still some top tackles available, like Monroe Freeling. But Miller isn’t letting outrage come in his way.
Detroit had a huge void to fill to replace the longtime left tackle, Taylor Decker. So, by not letting the noise affect him, Miller just focused on his talents. In an interview, he explained his mindset.
“Obviously, there’s a ton of talented guys in this process," said Miller about the pre-draft process. "My biggest thing was just making sure that I was trying to be the best version of myself every day.”
In a first round that featured seven offensive tackles, Miller was the fourth off the board. Spencer Fano, Francis Mauigoa, and Kadyn Proctor were selected before him, but he remained unfazed by the competition.
"I think comparison is the thief of joy, so just focusing on my process day-in, day-out, and trying to be the best I could be," added the former Clemson tackle.
Miller's stats at Clemson are proof. His 3,778 snaps from scrimmage marked a school record at Clemson, and he became the first lineman since 2000 to start every game during a four-year career.
Building on his freshman All-American campaign in 2022, he went on to secure three consecutive All-ACC honors. With this, Miller became the fourth offensive lineman in program history to achieve that feat alongside Mitch Hyatt, Jeb Flesch, and Tyrone Crowder.
But his focused attitude is exactly what made him stand out from the rest. To be precise, the Lions' front office has been tracking Miller’s progress for the last three years.
Brad Holmes Shares His Reason for Drafting Blake Miller Over Monroe Freeling
Miller really grabbed Brad Holmes’ attention when the Detroit general manager was going through his sophomore film.
“In ’24, watching his ’23 tape early in the season, the first thing I [saw] was his urgency and athleticism. That was the first thing that really caught my eye,” Holmes said. "I just wrote down, ‘This kid’s a football player,’ and I was definitely hot on the guy.”
The decision came down to readiness versus potential. While Freeling was a popular name linked to Detroit, he only had 18 starts at Georgia. In contrast, Miller entered the draft with extensive experience, making the front office confident he could play immediately.
"Look, these are all rookies, so they’re going to have their lumps," Holmes said. "But it’s hard to find guys that have the floor, still have growth, cause this guy, when you start matching up his athleticism numbers and all of that to these other tackles, he’s right up in the mix."
Holmes believes Miller is already a capable starter who hasn't reached his full potential yet. Miller is a strong fit for the Lions, both on the field and in the locker room. He’s athletic, experienced, plays with effort for his teammates, and aligns with the gritty culture the team has built.
What are your thoughts on Miller's tough mindset? Drop in your comments.
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