Raiders 2022 two-deep analysis and predictions: Offensive line
LT1: Kolton Miller
The ’21 Raiders’ offensive line was bad; Really bad. Per Pro Football Focus, the unit was ranked 28th leaguewide, housing two players who allowed 8 sacks, and four who totaled at least 7 penalties. On a line full of underwhelming performances, Kolton Miller was the lone bright spot.
Miller, on the 28th-ranked offensive line, recorded a PFF grade of 84.2. This made the former first-round pick a top-5 graded left tackle, being on a worse-ranked line than any of the other four. In fact, after Kolton Miller’s 28th-ranked offensive line, the next player on the lowest-ranked offensive line of the top-5 graded left tackles lined up on the 7th-highest graded line – A difference of 21 in rank.
The former UCLA tackle was the only Raiders’ offensive lineman to earn a running grade of at least 65.
In the 2018 NFL draft, the then Oakland Raiders held the 10th overall selection, but eventually traded down, acquiring the 15th overall pick. With that pick, Kolton Miller joined the Raiders. Miller immediately took over as the team’s left tackle, moving the veteran Donald Penn to right tackle for what would be his final season with the Silver and Black.
Each season, the 6’8 tackle has taken a noticeable leap forward, with his PFF grade reflecting his improvement. Miller, who ended his rookie year with a 49.6 grade, watched it rise each season, finishing his most recent campaign with an overall grade of 84.0; 84.2 during the regular season.
Most of the OL is up in the air for the upcoming year, but Miller is cemented as the starting left tackle in ’22, barring injury.