4 Oakland Raiders players who must improve during the 2019 season

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders puts the pass pressure on quarterback Joshua Dobbs #5 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders puts the pass pressure on quarterback Joshua Dobbs #5 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 10: Kolton Miller #77 of the Oakland Raiders blocks Chad Meredith #59 of the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 10: Kolton Miller #77 of the Oakland Raiders blocks Chad Meredith #59 of the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Kolton Miller

The Raiders used their first round pick in 2018 on LT Kolton Miller. Miller came in as a starter immediately, taking the position from Pro Bowl tackle Donald Penn, and forcing him to move to RT. Miller started off the season strong, but after a knee injury, he was not the same.

Miller played through the injury, but was a liability more than anything. Miller was arguably the worst starting LT in the NFL last season, allowing the most sacks in the league (16) and the most pressures in the league (65).

As a first round pick, the Raiders will need massive improvements from Miller going into 2019.

The Raiders success will rely heavily on Derek Carr, and if his blindside is not protected, he will continue to play scared, throw the ball to his check down repeatedly, and will waste the new offensive talent that he has been surrounded with. Kolton Miller may be the most important piece in this process, and if he does not make improvements, the Raiders will need to look somewhere else.

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