Oakland Raiders: Midseason grades for the 2018 rookie class

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 24: Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after he sacked the quarterback against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 24: Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after he sacked the quarterback against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: Kolton Miller of Oakland Raiders looks on during the NFL International series match between Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders at Wembley Stadium on October 14, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: Kolton Miller of Oakland Raiders looks on during the NFL International series match between Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders at Wembley Stadium on October 14, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images) /

Kolton Miller

When the Raiders drafted Kolton Miller in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, many experts scoffed, as he was not rated by many as a first round talent. Once with the Raiders, the thought was he would start at right tackle, with perennial Pro Bowler Donald Penn returning to block Derek Carr‘s blindside.

As Penn struggled to get on the field during the Summer, Miller filled in at left tackle, and never gave the position back to the veteran. Penn returned, and moved to right tackle, but is once again on the shelf, as fellow rookie Brandon Parker has taken over on the right side of an offensive line that has struggled as of late.

Miller has not only shown he can be a left tackle at the NFL level, but also that he is an absolute warrior, as he has played through injury for most of the season. He has the toughness you need from your starting left tackle, and it appears the Raiders made the right choice with their first round pick back in April.

Grade: B