The Detroit Lions officially selected offensive tackle Blake Miller with their first-round, No. 17 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday, April 23, and now, the critiques on the move are rolling in.
Before the NFL draft, it was all about projecting what would happen, and now that the first round has wrapped up, NFL experts and analysts are giving their thoughts on the Detroit Lions selecting Miller.
According to his official NFL profile, Miller comes to Detroit with an impressive 54 career starts. He’s “ultimate iron man at right tackle” and possesses “unusual lateral quickness and fluidity in space despite playing too upright.”
So, let’s get into what the experts are saying about Miller and the Lions. Also, remember to keep up with the latest NFL draft happens on Heavy Sports’ live draft blog.
People Are Saying the Same Thing About Blake Miller, Now a Member of the Detroit Lions
So far, the media’s reaction to the pick is positive. Overwhelmingly, NFL analysts are saying the same thing: Miller was the right choice to fit Detroit’s needs.
In a feature published right after the draft on Friday, April 24, in USA Today, Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz gives the Lions a B grade for the pick.
“The Lions’ need and desire to address the void at offensive tackle after Taylor Decker’s release was obvious,” Middlehurst-Schwartz states. “Less clear, however, was just whom Brad Holmes would zero in on. Perhaps more people should have seen this one coming, though.”
Middlehurst-Schwartz adds that “Miller is experienced, astute and athletic with an optimal frame for handling NFL edge rushers. With the bulk of his experience coming at right tackle, however, this signals that Penei Sewell should be making the switch to the left side.”
Chad Reuter of the NFL’s official website grades the move an A. It doesn’t get better than that, except maybe an A+.
“The departure of longtime starting OT Taylor Decker made it imperative for the Lions to find another offensive tackle early in the draft,” Reuter says in the piece. “Miller’s combination of experience and physicality must have endeared him to the decision-makers in Detroit, considering they passed on Georgia OT Monroe Freeling, who went two picks later.”
He adds, “We’ll see which player has a better NFL career, but I think the Lions made the right call.”
Eric Woodyard of ESPN adds that “fans should be cautious about questioning Lions GM Brad Holmes’ decisions based on his track record in the NFL draft, but it’s still a fair question. Either way, the Lions addressed one of their top positional needs with an elite prospect on the offensive line.”
Our Take: Is Blake Miller the Right Player for the Detroit Lions?
So, is Miller the right fit for Detroit? Considering the Lions’ immediate need for a solid offensive tackle in the wake of Taylor Decker’s complicated exit, Miller was really the strongest choice available by pick No. 17.
As Reuter mentioned, Freeling was another offensive tackle who could have done the job, and this reporter would have actually gone for him. But, Holmes knows what he’s doing, and as long as Detroit used their top pick to fill this gaping hole in the lineup, we’re solid.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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