Oakland Raiders NFL Draft Preview: Slot Receiver

Braxton Miller, Ohio State

After just one year of wide receiver experience at the college level, former Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller has drawn a significant amount of interest as a slot receiver in the NFL.

According to CFBStats.com, Miller brought in just 26 receptions for 341 yards and three touchdowns in his final year at Ohio State, but he still managed to leap up draft boards because of his exciting play both during the season and the week prior to the Senior Bowl.

Miller uses his outstanding quickness and agility to leave defenders in his wake on shorter underneath routes, while he also has the necessary playmaking ability to turn passes behind the line of scrimmage into big gains. With the ball in his hands, Miller is a threat to take it to the end zone regardless of where he catches it on the field.

Given his lack of experience, Miller has had limited opportunities against press coverage, but when he is pressed at the line of scrimmage, he lacks the ideal technique to get away from physical, aggressive cornerbacks. Also, Miller will need time to develop his route tree before he can have success on deeper routes at the next level.

At 6’1”, 201 pounds, Miller has the intangibles necessary to possibly play on the outside in the NFL, but he will need time to develop as a slot receiver before he is ready to take on some of the better corners outside of the hashes.

Because of his potential, Miller won’t be available after Day 2 of the draft, but there is still a risk that he will need several years to develop due to his inexperience. If Oakland were to take him in the second or third round, he would likely compete with Roberts prior to the season, but he would most benefit from playing in a limited role as he learns behind Crabtree and Cooper in his first year.