Mason Miller is no stranger to earning trust. He did it over five seasons at North Dakota State, where he transformed from a raw, oversized former basketball prospect into an All-American lineman with 42 starts and two national championships.

And now he’s doing it again in Detroit, quietly building something special with the Lions—one rep at a time. Only this time, he has a familiar face in his corner.

New Lions tight ends coach Tyler Roehl was Miller’s offensive coordinator at NDSU. The two spent three years together in Fargo, where Miller anchored Roehl’s high-powered rushing attack, earning trust then that still clearly carries tons of weight now.

Mason Miller’s bond with Lions coach could shape his NFL future

Since signing a three-year, $2.975 million deal with $30,000 guaranteed, Miller’s done what he needs to do—start building his case. He’s held his own at multiple spots, hasn’t looked out of place, and has given the coaching staff a reason to keep watching.

Lions are signing North Dakota State OL Mason Miller as a UDFA, per source.

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 26, 2025

For a player coming in without draft pedigree, that early momentum matters.

The Lions’ interior line is still unsettled. There’s a mix of rookies, unproven players, and veterans all jockeying for position, and the depth behind Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker at tackle is pretty thin.

Miller’s ability to line up across the line—plus his size and functional strength—keeps him in the conversation. Even if he doesn’t crack the final 53, this front office has prioritized keeping players they’re interested in around one way or another.

Roehl was Miller’s coordinator during his most productive years at NDSU, including a senior season where Miller started every game and anchored one of the top rushing attacks in the FCS. The two were together through Miller’s recovery from a fractured fibula in 2022, and Roehl didn’t just stick with him—he kept him in a featured role once healthy.

That history likely influenced how quickly Detroit acted after the draft. Miller was the first UDFA the team announced—an early move that suggested clear intent rather than a fallback option.

There’s still plenty of work ahead. Miller will need to keep stacking strong reps across multiple positions and prove he can handle NFL speed. But if he can translate his college consistency to training camp and the preseason, he has a legitimate shot to stick—whether that’s as a surprise addition to the 53 or a priority stash on the practice squad.