"Having guys on this staff who have played a lot of football really helps, and I love it here."
Detroit Lions rookie tackle Blake Miller told ESPN's Eric Woodyard this during the offseason, as the Clemson product is ramping up to potentially start in Week 1 for the Lions at right tackle.
Miller comes into the fold in a very good spot for a rookie offensive lineman - he's got Hank Fraley as the O-line coach in his ear, former Lions tackle Dan Skipper as an additional coach, and All-Pro (former) right tackle Penei Sewell to absorb information from. In terms of a perfect fit, you can't really get better than that, if you're Miller.
As we approach July 25, which is when rookies have to report for training camp, it seems like Miller is growing more comfortable with the prospect that he'll be attempting to fill Sewell's shoes at right tackle as a starter for the Lions.
Miller sounds ready to compete for starting job at RT
With Sewell swapping over to the left side of the line, a position he's played in the past but not since 2021 in relief of Taylor Decker, the Lions might be dealing with some rust headed into this season. That's what makes their signing of Larry Borom in free agency so important, as the team has hopes he could be a solid relief tackle for Miller if he isn't 100% ready to be a starter.
But, it doesn't sound like Miller's been dealing with any major hiccups - either the team is just doing a good job of covering them up, or he's genuinely looking like a 1st round tackle selection.
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"Coach Dan Campbell feels that Miller has continued to 'take these small steps every day' throughout the offseason. The Lions see him as a potential Day 1 starter at right tackle, as he went through reps with the first unit during veteran minicamp while they're transitioning All-Pro lineman Penei Sewell to left tackle."
We'll get a better idea of how well Miller's transition is going from college football to NFL-caliber defensive linemen in training camp, especially with Detroit's D-line looking quite healthy headed into this season. Getting sharpened by Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, and one of Derrick Moore or D.J. Wonnum is not a bad way to get up to speed, if you're Miller.
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