The Detroit Lions are placing one of their biggest bets to protect quarterback Jared Goff for the 2026 season on a rookie.

With veteran Taylor Decker no longer a part of the roster, Detroit is planning on shifting All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to left tackle. This has prompted the Lions to give the starting right tackle role to their 2026 first-round pick, Blake Miller. However, one NFL analyst is skeptical due to what history has shown before.

“Historically, rookie tackles are typically below average in their first season, even if they're first-rounders,” wrote ESPN analyst Seth Walder. “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.”

In the article ranking NFL rosters by ESPN analysts Seth Walder, Mike Clay, and Aaron Schatz, the Lions roster was ranked sixth overall. According to Walder, Miller is Detroit's X-factor for the 2026 season. 

Considering how the Lions' quarterback, Jared Goff, was sacked 38 times in the 2025 season, the eighth-most in the NFL, they will be hoping that the offensive line can improve from how they performed last year.

Miller comes with an impressive record of starting all 54 games at Clemson and playing a program record 3,778 offensive snaps. He was also selected to the All-ACC team three times, and the Lions will be hoping for him to be impactful from the very first snap.

While the Lions’ offensive line had gotten worse last season, the Lions were still one of the best offenses in the NFL. The Lions have also changed offensive coordinators from John Morton to Drew Petzing to try to solve their playcalling issues from last season. 

However, the core offensive players have been named as the Lions' biggest strengths.

Lions’ offensive playmakers are their biggest strength

Since the Lions hired Dan Campbell as their head coach, the team has turned into one of the best offenses in the NFL.

Despite an inconsistent offense, they were still able to finish as one of the top offenses last season. This has prompted Mike Clay of ESPN to name the Lions’ "offensive playmakers" as the team's biggest strength going into the 2026 season.

“Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams and TE Sam LaPorta form one of the league's best groups of skill players,” wrote Clay. “This is a group that has helped Detroit finish top five in offensive yards and touchdowns each of the past four seasons.”

Clay also mentioned how Sam LaPorta is one of the league’s premier tight ends as he sits third for touchdowns amongst tight ends with 20 since being drafted in 2023. This is despite him having missed half of 2025 with a back injury.

How well do you think the Lions' offense will be this season? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Dhruv Vishnu Nair

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore