Though the Detroit Lions were rumored to be considering a trade of their first round selection in the recently completed 2026 NFL Draft, they ultimately decided to stand pat and selected Blake Miller out of Clemson in the opening round (17th overall) in Pittsburgh.
Miller has already arrived in the Motor City and met with media members at the Lions’ training facility in Allen Park, and fans are understandably excited about what he could bring to the franchise that is looking to return to the postseason after missing out with a 9-8 record in 2025.
And base on the words of head coach Dan Campbell, Miller is going to be an exciting figure on the Lions’ offensive line for years to come
Detroit Lions Coach Dan Campbell Makes His Thoughts On First Round Pick Blake Miller Clear
While speaking with Lions commentator Dan Miller, head coach Dan Campbell gave his overwhelming endorsement to the selection of Blake Miller with Detroit’s first round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“He just, man, he’s played a lot of football, he’s solid, he’s steady, man,” Campbell said of Miller. “He can do it all. He’s physical in the run game, and he’s freaking smart. He’s tough and he’s got length, and he moves well. We feel like this is a guy who is gonna come in and compete and help us with the O-line.”
Video cameras captured the very first conversation on the phone between Campbell and Miller in the Lions’ Draft room in which the Lions coach said the entire organization was “fired up” to have the Clemson alum.
“We’re fired up, man,” Campbell said. “We’re going to put this pick in. Man, we love the tape, we love what you’re about. You’re durable, you’re steady. You just come in and compete, man. You’ve got to earn what you get, but your M.O. says you’ll do that, man. You’re going to fit right in here.”
During his time at Clemson, Miller started 54 consecutive games and ultimately established a new record with 3,778 snaps from scrimmage. Additionally, Miller is now the first Clemson offensive lineman in the Common Draft era (since 1967) to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Brad Holmes Touted Miller’s Urgency And Athleticism
Not long after the pick was made, Lions general manager Brad Holmes touted the “urgency and athleticism” of Miller as part of the reasons why he was selected in the opening round.
“His urgency and athleticism, that was the first thing that really kind of caught my eye,” Holmes said of Miller. “I thought he had some things that he needed to work on from a strength-development standpoint, but I said – so this is off of ’23 tape – I was like, ‘Man, if this guy gets stronger, man, this guy’s a football player here.’
“And sure enough, ’24 came, he got better. And ’25, it was like, ’25, it was to the point where it was like, ‘Yeah, there’s no issues here.’ And it’s a testament to him and his work ethic, so I’m not surprised ’cause this guy’s a high football-character individual.”
Lions’ Dan Campbell Sends Fervent Message To Blake Miller