The Lions get the most Dan Campbell guy possible with their selection of Clemson’s Blake Miller -Breaking down the risk, rewards, and scouting report

There is not a player in this draft that matches Lions head coach Dan Campbell more than Miller

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Clemson Tigers offensive lineman Blake Miller (78) against the Texas Longhorns during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Clemson Tigers offensive lineman Blake Miller (78) against the Texas Longhorns during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

There it is, the Detroit Lions have their new starting right tackle with their selection of Clemson’s Blake Miller. Let’s talk about it.

The Rewards with Miller

The headline says a lot. Miller is a Dan Campbell guy all the way. What does that mean? I think The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s comments in The Beast say it all.

“…He has the type of profile (physical traits, football IQ, competitive toughness) that teams will bet on every time.”

The guy is all about football and all about playing football, talking about football, watching football, and he wants to win. Those are Campbell traits all the way.

What’s good is that he’s also good at football. He allowed just 14 pressures and two sacks in 2025. He got great pass blocking grades and good run blocking grades. The other good thing is he’s been a starter since his freshman season, so we’re talking about a guy with plenty of experience who can start his rookie year.

The Risks with Miller

You’d like to see some better run blocking grades. They weren’t that bad, but for a potential first-round pick, it would be better if they were stronger. While the pass blocking grades were good, the film shows that he can be inconsistent at times.

Strength-wise, he’s not exactly throwing guys around. He is going to get into some dogfights with edge rushers, but he’s not likely going to dominate any of them. That can be ok, but it makes you wonder what happens if he goes up against a monster edge like Myles Garrett. That’s a problem for most tackles anyway, though, isn’t it?

The Scouting Report

  • Player: Blake Miller
  • Position: Offensive Tackle
  • School: Clemson
  • Career Projection: Eventual good starter
  • Birthdate: 2/25/2004
  • Age: 22

“Find me a player who is easier to love than Blake Miller. The Clemson right tackle is a four-year starter with more than 50 career games started with the Tigers program. He’s tough. Gritty. Tenacious. Is he always the most consistent? Admittedly not. But he’s got great flashes of in-space athleticism, movement at the point of attack, and he’s a “by any means necessary” player in pass protection. Miller also boasts a nearly 84″ wingspan, giving him prototypical tackle length to work with on the edges in pass protection. Miller doesn’t have the raw agility or power of some of the other tackles in this class, but he does have a well-rounded resume that should help him work his way onto the field of play early. Expectations for Miller may never rise to high-level accolades in the league, but he should be a plug-in starter who can hold down a job for multiple contracts in the NFL.”

–Kyle Crabbs

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