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Lions Draft Clemson Tackle Blake Miller at No. 17

5/1/2026

30 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Lions Draft Miller

The Detroit Lions chose Clemson right tackle Blake Miller with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
General manager Brad Holmes said the Lions explored a trade-up with the Los Angeles Rams, who selected quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 16, but stayed at No. 17.
Analysts said the selection fits Detroit’s run-heavy identity, though some scouts ranked Miller lower.

Summary

Lions Hire Petzing

The Lions hired Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator, replacing John Morton after the 2025 season.
The 2026 offensive line is projected to line up left to right with Penei Sewell, Christian Mahogany, Miles Mays, Tate Ratledge and Blake Miller.
Detroit entered the offseason without a true nose-tackle after Roy Lopez and DJ Reader left, leaving rookie Tyleik Williams as the primary option.

Summary

Campbell Boosts Defense

Dan Campbell’s “gritty” identity is strengthened by Michigan teammates Derrick Moore (2nd-round DE) and Jimmy Rolder (4th-round LB).
Moore posted 10 sacks, 30 tackles and an 89.9 PFF grade in 2025, ranking 18th among EDGE players.
Rolder recorded 57 tackles, two sacks, 13 pressures, a 74.8 PFF grade and an 80.1 run-defense rating.
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard expects the pair to impact Detroit’s front seven immediately.

Summary

Holmes Drafts Low-Risk

General Manager Brad Holmes entered the 2026 draft with a health-improvement directive, selecting only low-risk prospects for Detroit.
Seven picks scored 4/10 or lower on the medical board.
All draftees are 23 or younger, with four aged 22 or below.
Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta said 18% of the overall 2026 class were age 24 or older.
The strategy let Detroit fill its top two needs while limiting injury risk.

History

Historical Context

After NFL owners approved Houston as the league’s 32nd franchise on Oct 6 1999, the new Texans built their inaugural roster in the Feb 18 2002 expansion draft, selecting 19 players from a list of 155 and assuming $27.2 million in contracts. In 2026, Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes cited that same low-risk, contract-focused strategy when drafting only medically cleared prospects.

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Lions Draft Miller

The Detroit Lions chose Clemson right tackle Blake Miller with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
General manager Brad Holmes said the Lions explored a trade-up with the Los Angeles Rams, who selected quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 16, but stayed at No. 17.
Analysts said the selection fits Detroit’s run-heavy identity, though some scouts ranked Miller lower.

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