It was one of the worst-kept secrets leading into the 2026 NFL Draft: the Detroit Lions were eying a new tackle.
This led to various rumors of teams moving up ahead of the Lions and, of course, that the Lions' top target was Alabama's Kadyn Proctor. Instead, the Miami Dolphins traded back one spot before taking Proctor at #12.
It was tough to find a mock draft that didn't have the Lions selecting Proctor, despite various concerns about his weight and effort level. But, still, Proctor was talented and had an incredibly high ceiling. If a team can unlock that, Proctor has the potential to be the best tackle in this draft class.
The NFL world is going to have to wait to see Proctor at tackle, however.
Speaking on The Joe Rose Show, Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said that Proctor was their "guy all along," and laid out Proctor's immediate future. Instead of starting at LT or RT, he'll begin his career at left guard. In turn, this moves LG Jonah Savaiinaea over to RG.
"I think probably day one, I think (Proctor's) probably lining up at left guard. You know what I mean? And we're gonna try to fortify, and we'll move Jonah (Savaiinaea) to the right side, and off we go."
This can certainly change once training camp begins and in the years to come, but as of right now, it appears Proctor wasn't taken as a tackle, but instead as a guard. That's not too far off from some pre-draft projections that suggested Proctor could find a home at guard, and possibly have a brighter future there.
The Dolphins will likely be lining up Patrick Paul again at LT and Austin Jackson at RT. Jackson missed time throughout the 2025 season with a toe injury, allowing future Lion Larry Borom to start in his place. Both are solid pass protectors, and if they remain healthy, they give the Dolphins the luxury of allowing Proctor to get acclimated to the NFL at another position.
Blake Miller gives the Lions exactly what they needed
Make no mistake, the Lions could've used an LG with the size, talent, and athleticism of Proctor. With the selection of Clemson RT Blake Miller, LG is now the biggest question mark remaining on the rebuilt offensive line. Either they'll run it back with Christian Mahogany, sign a player like Joel Bitonio, or lean on veteran Juice Scruggs, whom they acquired in the David Montgomery trade.
But the Lions needed a new long-term tackle to replace Taylor Decker, especially one that could play RT and allow Penei Sewell to move to LT. Proctor could've still been that guy, but he played zero snaps last season at RT. He would've needed time to adjust, either by being thrown into the fire, by backing up Borom, or by developing first as a guard.
For a Lions team hoping to bounce back after a last-place NFC North finish, they don't have time to go through an adjustment phase. They need someone who is plug-and-play and can be a day one starter at RT. Miller fits that to a tee, with his years of experience at RT as a two-time First Team All-ACC at the position. This is a stark contrast from Proctor or Georgia's Monroe Freeling, who each have little experience on that side of the line.
READ MORE: Here's where the Lions are currently picking in the 2027 Draft
If viewing New York Giants pick Francis Mauigoa as a guard as well, this means the Lions took the second tackle in this year's draft at #17, which is a fantastic outcome for a team everyone expected to take one.
Proctor may wind up being the better player in the long run, but with the Lions' need at RT and Proctor beginning his career at LG, the Miller selection looks like the correct call in the here and now.
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