Las Vegas Raiders: Enjoying the rise of LT Kolton Miller

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Defensive end Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers against offensive tackle Kolton Miller #74 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Defensive end Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers against offensive tackle Kolton Miller #74 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Once considered a stretch pick in the first round, Las Vegas Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller is rising to be one of the best in the game.

During the 2018 NFL Draft, the then-Oakland Raiders selected UCLA offensive tackle Kolton Miller, seen by many as a Day 2 pick. At the time, the tackle spot seemed set, as Donald Penn was still considered a Pro Bowl player, and was entrenched as the team’s starting left tackle.

Well, Miller ended up winning the job in camp, and Penn moved to right tackle, though he would be ravaged by injuries the rest of his time with the franchise. For Miller, his rookie season was a tough one, as he graded out as one of the worst starting left tackles in the game, but that was kind of to be expected considering he was in his first season.

Now entering Year 4, those days of Miller being a liability are long gone, and the Raiders now have an anchor at the position group. Still only 25-years old, Miller is rounding into not only a solid offensive tackle for the Raiders, but one of his teammates feels the bar is set much higher than that.

Recently, new defensive end Yannick Ngakoue tweeted out that Miller will be one of the best tackles in the league soon, and we could not agree more.

Raiders pick of Miller is now considered a steal

Looking at the rise of Miller now, getting a player of his caliber at this prime position at No. 15 overall is now a steal. He has done nothing but put his head down and work since the moment he was drafted, and his improvement year over year has been more than impressive.

With so many moves along the offensive line this offseason, including Rodney Hudson being traded, it is time for Miller to step up and be the unquestioned leader of this offensive line. If he can do that, the Raiders are set at the position for at least the next ten seasons.

Overall, the offensive line is going to be fine, as there is still a lot of talent remaining, and Leatherwood looks like a perfect complement to Miller on the outside. In Year 4, Miller will be looking to earn his first Pro Bowl nod, but the goal for him, and the rest of the Raiders has to be playoffs-or-bust.

They certainly have the left tackle to get them there.