One year ago, the New England Patriots used their first-round selection in the NFL Draft to pick an offensive tackle. Fast forward 12 months, and we might find ourselves in the same situation yet again.
What gives? While Will Campbell was brought aboard fourth overall last season to become the team’s left tackle of the future, a goal we still very much believe he is capable of reaching, the right side’s outlook remains unclear. Yes, grizzled veteran Morgan Moses will hold down the fort again in 2026,
but at the age of 35 he is far closer to the end of his career is nigh.
And so, the 31st pick in this year’s draft might just be spent on another OT. That’s where Blake Miller comes in.
Hard facts
Name: Blake Miller
Position: Offensive tackle
School: Clemson (Sr.)
Opening day age: 22 (2/25/2004)
Measurements: 6’6 3/4”, 317 lbs, 34 1/4” arm length, 9 3/4” hand size, 5.04s 40-yard dash, 7.75s 3-cone drill, 4.65s short shuttle, 32” vertical jump, 9’5” broad jump, 32 bench press reps, 9.90 Relative Athletic Score
Experience
Colleges: Clemson (2022-25)
Career statistics: 54 games (54 starts) | 3,778 offensive snaps, 258 special teams snaps | 79 quarterback pressures surrendered (8 sacks, 10 hits, 61 hurries) | 22 penalties (incl. 5 declined/offset)
Accolades: First-team All-ACC (2024, 2025), Third-team All-ACC (2023), First-team All-American (2022)
Despite also being part of the wrestling team, Miller did not missed a single game of football during his high school career at Strongsville, OH. Eventually being rated a three-star recruit, he was courted by several high-profile schools before choosing to spend his college career at Clemson.
Upon joining the Tigers as a true freshman in 2022, he immediately won their starting right tackle spot and never looked back. In fact, he ended up starting all 54 of his games over the next four years and was on the field for over 4,000 combined snaps between offense and special teams — continuing to show the impressive durability he already displayed in high school.
That was not his only notable trait, though. Miller also was a high-level blocker who was twice voted a first-team All-ACC selection and named a permanent team captain as a senior.
Draft profile
Projected round: 1-2 | Consensus big board: No. 28 | Patriots meeting: N/A
Strengths: Standing at just under 6-foot-7 and 317 pounds, Miller is a well-built tackle who has the appropriate length and prototypical size to start at the next level. He combines it with good balance and control, playing over his feet both when sliding back to pass protect and attacking forward or moving off his spot as a run blocker. In general, he is quick off the snap and quite flexible in his lower half. He also has good spatial awareness sealing the pocket, and also recognizes blitzes and line games quickly.
Miller’s hand usage is, in a vacuum, fine and he knows how to use his hands to gain control in 1-on-1s. He has a strong first punch and latches onto defenders, keeping his feet driving through contact. He also can anchor down to absorb bull rushes. A team captain at Clemson, he plays with the effort you want your leaders to have and attempts to serve pancakes every game day. His durability has also been top notch going back to his high school days.
Weaknesses: Miller needs to become more consistent playing the leverage game, and at times finds himself playing with too high a pad level. This, in turn, invites defenders to get into his chest and challenge his otherwise good balance, which furthermore results in imprecise hand usage and a disconnect between his upper and lower halves. He also tends to lunge into defenders and has to be more patient with his approach to blocking, particularly in the passing game: quicker defenders can loop around him if his technique breaks down.
That technique in general can be hit or miss. He has shown he can do all the things to play tackle at a high level, but whether it is his hand placement, leverage or kick-slide, there are times he does not play a homogenous game. On top of it all, he needs to get stronger in his upper body and improve his grip strength to stay engaged in pass protection. He also won’t be a mauler in the run game, and at times takes questionable angles when asked to zone block or climb to the second level.
Patriots preview
What would be his role? While Miller has the skills to become a Day 1 starting offensive tackle in the NFL, the Patriots might actually use him differently. With Morgan Moses getting up there in age, they might prefer grooming him behind the scenes to be ready to take over in 2027. Until then, he will be used as a backup and possibly an occasional sixth offensive lineman, a role played by still-unsigned Thayer Munford Jr. in 2025.
Does he have positional versatility? Miller played 3,778 offensive snaps during his career at Clemson, with a vast majority coming at right tackle: 96.1% or 3,631 snaps. The rest of them saw him align either as a stand-in left tackle or an inline tight end whose main responsibility, you guessed it, was blocking. In that regard, his versatility is somewhat limited and he would get drafted with a clear goal in mind: to play right tackle.
What is his growth potential? Even though he brings tons of experience to the table, Miller is a technically raw prospect in some respects who would benefit from some additional fine-tuning behind the scenes. But even if he is not allowed that luxury, his upside remains high: he has the potential to become a franchise-caliber right tackle capable of holding down the position for years to come.
Why the Patriots? Despite Morgan Moses being set to return for his age-35 season, the Patriots might want to address the right tackle spot earlier rather than later. If so, Miller is one of the prime candidates to consider. He is a high-upside option whose skillset and play style actually compares favorably to the player who he would take over for further down the line.
Why not the Patriots? The big unknown at the Patriots’ offensive tackle position right now is sophomore Marcus Bryant. The 2025 seventh-round draft pick served as a part-time backup right tackle as a rookie, and the team might view him as a possible replacement for Morgan Moses. If so, adding Miller early in this year’s draft would make little sense.
One-sentence verdict: Miller is a true iron man at offensive tackle, who appears well-suited to join the Patriots with the long-term future at right tackle in mind.
For more information about Blake Miller and the rest of this year’s class of prospects, please take a look at Adam’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide.
Also, what do you think about Miller as a potential Patriots target? Do you like him? Where would you pick him? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.
