Monroe Freeling's draft call with Panthers is absolutely amazing
Monroe Freeling's Joyful Draft Call with the Panthers
The Detroit Lions selected Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the 17th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, filling a crucial gap after cutting Taylor Decker. Reactions are mixed, with some surprised the Lions chose Miller over Monroe Freeling, who was picked 19th by the Panthers.
The Detroit Lions have their long-term solution at right tackle. The Lions used the 17th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller, who comes in with a boat load of experience. Miller got the starting right tackle job as a freshman and never gave it back, starting 54 games total and at least 13 games every year he played for Dabo Swinney. It fills a huge hole for the Lions, who had to replace longtime left tackle Taylor Decker after the team decided to cut him in a cap-saving measure. It also likely means a move to left tackle for Lions tackle Penei Sewell, who has played much of his career on the right side. **THE GRADE:** Lions 2026 NFL Draft Round 1 grade, as Blake Miller makes them nimbler But what is the reaction online to the pick by Lions general manager Brad Holmes? The consensus seems to be it's a hard pick to dislike, as Miller has a high floor, a lot of experience and fills a big hole. But did the Lions miss a player with higher upside in Monroe Freeling, selected 19th by the Carolina Panthers? Here are the best reactions online:
Would not have taken Blake Miller over Monroe Freeling if I were the #Lions
— Brent Rollins (@BrentRollinsPhD) April 24, 2026 I am a little surprised, like very mildly, that the Lions opted for Blake Miller over Monroe Freeling. But Miller was such an easy projection for this Lions team. And my final projection for Detroit too
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) April 24, 2026 gave @colton\_pouncy a Blake Miller comp back in winter:
The Lions opted for Blake Miller due to his extensive experience and fit for their offensive line needs, despite some believing Monroe Freeling had higher upside.
Penei Sewell is expected to move from right tackle to left tackle following the selection of Blake Miller.
Blake Miller started a total of 54 games during his college career at Clemson.
Monroe Freeling's Joyful Draft Call with the Panthers
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Taylor Decker
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) April 24, 2026 Blake Miller is gonna fit here so well
— Posa. (@justposa) April 24, 2026 Seems like people might not have had Miller going that high, but I can’t knock the pick. You got a lot of retooling to do on that offensive line.
— Chris Castellani (@Castellani2014) April 24, 2026 Eleven notable Relative Athletic Score (RAS) comparisons for new Detroit Lions RT Blake Miller:
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy\_Al) April 24, 2026 First @fordfield 👏 for Blake Miller pic.twitter.com/tyLezPsSHu
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 24, 2026 Clemson RT Blake Miller going to Detroit is a pretty decent tell that the Lions are going forward with Penei Sewell as the left tackle.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 24, 2026 Outside of thinking Francis Mauigoa was the top player … I never for a second got attached to any of the tackles over any of the others.
Totally good with Blake Miller. He’s your opening day starter at RT. Penei Sewell goes to LT. Your OL is set for years to come. Really no…
— 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝟑𝟒𝟒 𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 (@Section344Lions) April 24, 2026 *Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor at the Free Press. Contact him via email at abirkle@freepress.com.* *This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions fans react to Blake Miller pick at 17 in 2026 NFL Draft*