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Larry Borom vs Blake Miller: Lions Right Tackle Competition Begins
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- Larry Borom vs Blake Miller: Lions Right Tackle Competition Begins
(Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK)
It's that time again. No, not Christmas or Halloween, but a time of year that is just as important for NFL teams: OTAs.
The Detroit Lions have begun organized team activities, and although there has not been a great deal of footage or detailed notes to review, one position battle stands out as worth watching. The competition for the starting right tackle job could be one of the most intriguing storylines for Detroit this offseason.
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It comes down to two players: newly signed free agent Larry Borom and first-round draft pick Blake Miller. Both bring different strengths to the field, but only one will earn the starting role.
Larry Borom
Borom spent four seasons with the Chicago Bears before joining the Miami Dolphins last season. In his five-year NFL career, he has made 38 starts, including 11 games last season.
On the Lions' Collective Podcast, general manager Brad Holmes noted his confidence in Borom, saying he views him as a starter and adding, "Yeah, he's started a lot of games," when asked about the veteran tackle.
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Borom's advanced metrics last season were solid but not dominant. According to Pro Football Focus, he posted a 60.7 overall grade, a 67.1 pass-blocking grade, and a 54.4 run-blocking grade. He allowed two sacks, three quarterback hits, and five penalties across 664 snaps.
However, his performance trend has been encouraging. Since 2023, Borom's overall grade has improved each season, suggesting continued development rather than stagnation.
Now working under respected offensive line coach Hank Fraley, the Lions believe Borom still has room to grow. Still, he will face strong competition from a highly regarded rookie, making this one of the more competitive battles on the roster.
Blake Miller
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Blake Miller, the No. 17 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, enters the league with significant expectations. At 6-foot-6¾ and 317 pounds, Miller brings elite size and athleticism to Detroit's offensive line.
A former wrestler, Miller started 54 games at Clemson and set the program record with 3,778 offensive snaps. He was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection and served as team captain in 2025.
He is also the first offensive tackle the Lions have selected in the first round since Penei Sewell in 2021.
Miller earned a 9.90 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) out of 10, ranking 17th among 1,645 offensive tackles evaluated from 1987 to 2026.
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His combine testing further reinforced his athletic profile, including a 5.04-second 40-yard dash (86th percentile), a 32-inch vertical (87th percentile), a 113-inch broad jump (90th percentile), and 32 bench press reps (91st percentile).
In 2025, Miller posted a 76.8 overall PFF grade, including an 81.6 pass-blocking grade and a 72.4 run-blocking grade. He allowed two sacks, two quarterback hits, 14 pressures, and five penalties that season.
Over his college career at Clemson, he allowed seven sacks and eight quarterback hits.
Who wins the job?
In my view, this competition will be closer than many expect. My gut says Miller eventually wins the job, but it would not be surprising to see Borom open the season as the starter.
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Miller's status as a rookie could lead the Lions to ease him into action rather than immediately handing him a starting role. At the same time, Borom's veteran experience and the praise he has received from Brad Holmes suggest he will have a legitimate chance to win the job outright.
Either way, this is shaping up to be one of the more compelling position battles to watch as OTAs continue.
