The Detroit Lions really need Blake Miller to be an impact player right away.
When the team selected the former Clemson tackle 17th overall in the 2026 NFL draft, they did so with the idea that he could step in and solidify the right side of their offensive line as Penei Sewell reportedly moves to the left.
Though the Lions have Larry Borom as a potential fringe starter, right tackle seems like it’ll be Miller’s job to lose.
And in a recent interview with Lions beat reporter Tim Twentyman, Miller gave another reason to believe he can provide that level of impact from the jump.
Miller was asked about what it’s been like to work with Lions offensive line coach and run game coordinator Hank Fraley, and said it’s “been amazing”.
"Great teacher when it comes to schematics, like really helping me pick up everything very quickly,” he said. “No grey area on stuff. And also, too, when it comes to technique, he's a technician. Everything needs to be perfect because when you go out there, you don't want to be thinking about your technique. Now is the time and he's really emphasized that to us."
Miller sounds ready to learn everything possible from Fraley
Miller was one of the most experienced tackle prospects in the 2026 draft, starting 54 games in college and breaking a Clemson record for most snaps from scrimmage. The hope for Detroit is that he’ll be more “plug and play” than most rookie tackles, allowing him to immediately raise the Lions’ floor.
Bad offensive line play is one of the biggest reasons for Detroit’s disappointing 2025. Though now-released left tackle Taylor Decker should be remembered as a franchise icon, he battled injuries throughout the year and wasn’t the same steady presence he had been for most of the past decade.
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If Miller can come in and be a better right tackle than Decker was a left tackle, it could help revitalize the Lions’ offense.
And Fraley is a great mentor to have throughout the initial learning curve that comes with jumping to the NFL, one that will exist no matter how much college experience you have. Whether it’s Sewell, Decker, Frank Ragnow, Jonah Jackson or even the ascending Tate Ratledge, he’s helped develop some of the NFL’s top offensive lineman throughout his nine years in Detroit.
And the Lions are hoping for Fraley to have found his next star pupil.
“I feel like everyone’s got something to offer,” Miller said. “Guys emphasize different things in their own game, so they notice things in my game and really help me with that. I really appreciate how welcoming everyone has been and open to giving me advice.”
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