ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions found a replacement for a longtime fixture on the offensive line.
Detroit drafted Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the No. 17 overall pick in the NFL
draft on Thursday night, selecting a massive and durable player to make up for the loss of Taylor Decker.
The 6-foot-7, 317-pound Miller started 54 games in college. The three-time All-ACC player broke a school record by playing 3,778 offensive snaps.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes says he drafts the best players on the team's board, refusing to reach for needs.
Miller appears to be both a highly rated prospect and a player with a chance to play right away as a rookie for coach Dan Campbell after a relatively surprising move this offseason.
Decker asked for his release, ending a 10-year run as the team’s starting left tackle.
All-Pro Penei Sewell will likely replace Decker on the left side. Detroit signed Larry Borom to possibly take Sewell’s spot on the right side and now he has competition from a first-round pick.
Detroit also has a second-round pick, two selections in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds along with one in the seventh round to address the needs, particularly on defense.
The Lions have had four straight winning seasons for the first time since 1969 to 1972, but no one is celebrating that in the Motor City.
They went into last season projected as Super Bowl contenders and failed to make the playoffs, finishing 9-8. The disappointing season followed a franchise-record, 15-win season along with two straight NFC North titles and an NFC championship game appearance.
Detroit was not very aggressive in NFL free agency because the franchise is trying to save salary cap space to sign some key players to long-term extensions.
The Lions signed center Cade Mays to a $25 million, three-year deal in the hopes of solidifying an offensive line that struggled last season. They also added veteran edge rusher D.J. Wonnum to a one-year deal.
Detroit is hoping it can afford to retain such players as running back Jahmyr Gibbs, linebacker Jack Campbell and tight end Sam LaPorta with new contracts.
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