Floor, ceiling and first-year predictions for Detroit Lions' 2026 draft class
Allen Park — Even with Tate Ratledge logging more offensive playing time than any Detroit Lions player in 2025, the team didn’t lean too heavily on its rookie class last season.
First-year players accounted for fewer than 9 percent of Detroit’s offensive and defensive snaps last season thanks to veteran depth across the roster. The team’s usage of rookies ranked 24th in the league.
Detroit has come a long way since 2021, the first-year of the franchise’s rebuild under general manager Brad Holmes. That year they paced the league in rookie snaps, racking up more than 6,000 combined.
However, there’s not a direct correlation to rookie playing time and Super Bowl contention. The Patriots, last year’s runner-up, ranked third in rookie snap rate last season. The champions, the Seattle Seahawks, were middle of the pack.
Those tallies obviously include contributions from undrafted signings, but let’s explore expectations for Detroit’s seven-prospect draft class ahead of their inaugural training camp.
Offensive tackle Blake Miller
Floor: The last two offensive tackles the Lions have selected in the first round — Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell — were Day 1 starters. Frankly, it was never a question for either, based on their inaugural offseason practice reps.
The same can’t be said for Miller. Sure, it’s possible he pulls away with the starting job, but he’s going to have to wrestle the opportunity away from Larry Borom, the Detroit native who has 38 career starts and thrived in pass protection as Miami’s right tackle in 2025.
Worst-case, Miller’s entrance into the starting lineup is delayed. Riley Reiff, Detroit’s 2012 first-rounder, had to wait a full year until he took over as Detroit’s left tackle. It’s unlikely Miller has to wait that long.
Ceiling: Ideally, Miller’s preparedness for the next level is undeniable by the end of training camp and he delivers a rookie season reminiscent of Decker’s 2016 debut.