The Detroit Lions have been monitoring offensive tackle Blake Miller for several seasons and have grown increasingly impressed with his development.

General manager Brad Holmes explained that Miller’s performances began to stand out more prominently when he reviewed the lineman’s 2023 game film while studying prospects in 2024.

Because of the steady improvement Miller displayed over time, Detroit’s front office ultimately viewed the talented blocker as someone worth bringing onto the roster.

After the first round wrapped up, Holmes was asked whether the organization had considered moving up in the draft to secure Miller as the night progressed.

Leading up to the draft, there had already been speculation that Detroit could attempt to trade up during the opening round, particularly if offensive tackles began coming off the board quickly.

Holmes confirmed those discussions did occur.

“We did have conversations with teams picking ahead of us, even quite a bit ahead,” Holmes said. “We had to evaluate whether we were comfortable with the amount of draft capital it would cost. But we absolutely looked into the possibility of moving up.”

Ultimately, the draft unfolded in Detroit’s favor, allowing the team to select the former Clemson Tigers football standout at pick No. 17.

The decision by the Los Angeles Rams to draft a quarterback helped increase confidence inside Detroit’s draft room that Miller would still be available.

Holmes noted that once the Rams went with a signal-caller, he started to feel optimistic about their chances.

“After Los Angeles took the quarterback, I felt pretty good that Blake might still be there for us,” Holmes explained.

He also acknowledged that the Lions expected other teams to suspect Detroit’s interest in an offensive tackle.

“From the outside, it probably looked obvious that we were targeting a tackle,” Holmes said. “So if a team behind us needed one as well, they might try to jump ahead. That’s why we explored trading up. But around pick 14, I started feeling confident we could stay put, keep our assets, and still get Blake.”

Meanwhile, Miller’s former position coach at Clemson, Matt Luke, spoke highly of the type of player and person Detroit is adding.

Luke described Miller as a consummate professional who is diligent about every aspect of preparation, from conditioning and nutrition to his overall approach to the game.

He also pointed out the lineman’s remarkable reliability, noting that Miller appeared in 54 consecutive games during his college career and missed only two practices over four years.

According to Luke, Miller’s character and work ethic make him a dependable addition who should contribute both on the field and within the community.