Was it a Reach? – Blake Miller

Was it a Reach

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Rnk: 53 SR PRP: 6 Ovr: 17. B+

Many years ago, I created Why the Slide and Why Undrafted in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects were selected lower or not drafted at all in the NFL Draft. This year, I thought to expand to see if a player was a reach. The answer to whether a player was a reach is as simple as the player was valued at that spot by the team that drafted him. However, other teams may not agree with that grade, so I thought I would check if certain players were actual reaches in the NFL Draft.

For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out where their teams valued this player. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media’s expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?” and now, “Was it a Reach?”

The trio of series is back this year. Feel free to email me requests at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.

In the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft, Blake Miller was a consensus late first-round pick. Miller started over 50 games during his Tigers career and was a well-rounded blocker. Miller was not as dominant or viewed as having as good a skill set as the top trio of tackle prospects in Spencer Fano, Francis Mauigoa, and Kadyn Proctor. However, Miller was thought to be a solid and safe pick to go in the 20s. Thus, it was a bit of a surprise when the Detroit Lions selected Miller with the 17th overall pick.

In speaking to sources at three different teams, they had mixed reactions to whether Miller was a reach for the Lions. One team said yes. One national scout said, “I’m not the highest on him, but in this draft I would say no.” A director of player personnel from a third team said, “At 17, yes. But he can be a starting offensive tackle, and in this draft, it wasn’t a major reach, but still a reach to me. But Detroit is a good team that needed a piece, not a crappy rebuilding team.” Thus, Miller might have been a slight reach, but other teams did not feel he was a bad pick for the Lions.

After moving on from veteran Taylor Decker, Miller should step in and compete immediately to be the starting right tackle for the Lions. With the outstanding Penei Sewell moving to left tackle, Miller can stay at the position he is accustomed to. Miller should also benefit from a lot of good talent around him that can help him, including good blocking tight ends in Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. Veteran quarterback Jared Goff will be an asset, as he has been perhaps the most consistent and prolific passer in the league when you total up the last three seasons. Star running back Jahmyr Gibbs also helps his line to be effective even when they aren’t perfect. Miller also landed with one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL, Hank Fraley, who will develop Miller well. Miller looks like a safe pick to have a long, successful career with the Lions.