ESPN picks Detroit Lions' 2026 X-factor

Much of the talk this offseason centered upon the Detroit Lions shoring up its offensive line.

Most felt like the Lions would pick an offensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft. Then, after the Lions released Taylor Decker, drafting an offensive tackle felt like a necessity.

Sure enough, the Lions scooped up offensive tackle Blake Miller with the No. 17 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The expectation is that the Clemson product can step right in and be a Day 1 starter at right tackle as Penei Sewell slides over to left tackle. Miller was described as a plug-and-play option during the NFL draft process, but is that really the case?

In its 2026 roster rankings, ESPN shared its X-factor for Detroit's 2026 season, rookie offensive tackle Blake Miller.

Right tackle Blake Miller. We think of the Lions as having a stalwart offensive line, but they had a serious need at right tackle after releasing veteran tackle Taylor Decker and flipping Penei Sewell to the left side. They filled it with Miller in the first round of the draft.

Historically, rookie tackles are typically below average in their first season, even if they're first-rounders. We'll find out if Miller can buck that trend and, if so, keep the Lions with two good tackles to bookend their offensive line. - Seth Walder, ESPN

Detroit also signed Larry Borom in NFL free agency to a one-year, $5 million deal. But, the thought is that Miller will wind up being the guy at right tackle.

And, really, if the Lions are going to accomplish what fans hope they will, that likely entails Miller being just that... the guy at right tackle.

Miller was an iron man at Clemson, starting a record 54 straight games—53 of which came at right tackle—and logging a record 3,778 career snaps from scrimmage. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound tackle also boasts prototypical NFL size. Miller's arm length was measured at 34 1/4 inches the NFL Scouting Combine.

Someone in the Lions' secondary would have made sense as a 2026 X-factor, but the Miller selection makes sense, too.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN picks Detroit Lions' 2026 X-factor