The Detroit Lions took the safe route on Day 1 of the NFL draft, selecting right tackle Blake Miller at 17th overall. While some other tackles like Monroe Freeling, Max Iheanachor, and Caleb Lomu were available, Miller's fit makes a ton of sense when looking at one number: consecutive starts.
For Miller, that was 54 at Clemson. He was an iron man, and that's the exact kind of player that the Lions should want to add to their roster ahead of a huge 2026 season. They need availability, and Miller offers a glimpse into that to the biggest possible degree.
Of course, this selection confirms that Penei Sewell will be swung over to his original position, left tackle, in 2026. It's the safest option for the Lions, as they probably don't love the idea of putting a rookie in to protect Jared Goff's blindside. When you've got a versatile All-Pro on your roster, you take advantage of that.
This also confirms that newly-signed tackle, Larry Borom, is officially on thin ice before even taking a snap with the Lions. Borom, a veteran lineman, comes to the Lions with some stops to forget prior to returning to his hometown of Detroit. While he's gotten some praise from the Lions, it's now clear that he might be backing up a rookie in his first year with Detroit, and not the other way around.
Lions might've signalled Borom's future with Miller pick
Would it have been the end of the world had the Lions just stuck with Borom at right tackle, taken a top defender at 17th overall, and used a 4th-rounder on a developmental tackle instead? No. But, with such an established offense and (previous) stronghold in the NFC North, it was important for the Lions to build for longevity, and not just make the "sexy" pick.
Miller is exactly that. He's an additional youth injection for their offensive line as Sewell begins to get up there in age, and as Detroit gets younger overall in their trenches.
READ MORE: Lions 2026 NFL Draft tracker: Full list of picks, roster needs, targets, and more
Borom and Miller will be in a tight competition in camp for the RT1 role, but Miller's floor and obvious athleticism give him the edge over Borom as of now. Borom remains very decent insurance for Miller, though, as he slowly improved as a run-blocker throughout 2025 and also played 664 snaps at the position.
The Lions are slowly, but surely, building back their trenches, and that plan includes Borom - just not as a starter.
Add us as a preferred source on Google