Drafting Kolton Miller
Heading into the 2018 NFL Draft, there were many questions as to who the Raiders would take with their first round pick. Prior to the draft, the Raiders and 49ers had to have a coin flip to see who would pick No. 9 and 10, as they had the same record at 6-10 during the 2017 season.
The 49ers won that coin flip, and selected offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey from Notre Dame, who many believed was the best offensive tackle in the draft class. With McGlinchey gone, the Raiders traded down with the Arizona Cardinals, selecting an offensive tackle of their own at No. 15.
That player was Kolton Miller, and while many did not have a first round grade on him, he did fill a need for the team. Miller protected Josh Rosen’s blindside during their time at UCLA, and strangley enough, it was Rosen who the Cardinals picked at No. 10 with the Raiders selection.
Miller is going to fight for the right tackle job this summer, though he has some veterans in front of him. He has the talent to be the starter in Week 1, and through the first glances we have seen of him, it won’t be long until he is the starting left tackle for the Raiders, once Donald Penn is done protecting Carr’s blindside.