The offensive line for the Las Vegas Raiders has seen a lot of change over the years, but their left tackle has remained a constant. Kolton Miller, a raw athletic prospect from UCLA, has since developed into one of the league’s top tackles. He deserves credit for persevering in his craft, and the Raiders also deserve some credit for sticking by him. After another good year, he is finally being recognized as one of the best at his position.
Some Much-Deserved Recognition For No. 74 Kolton Miller
Josh Jacobs is the NFL’s current leader in both rushing and scrimmage yards. The Raiders’ offensive line performance is a major factor in this. The Raiders’ offensive line is rated as the best in the league by Football Outsiders. Miller, the anchor of their offensive line, is where it all begins. Miller is the ninth-best offensive tackle in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
Here’s what Marcus Mosher of PFF said about Miller: “Miller’s development over the past few years has been incredible. He was about as raw as it gets coming out of UCLA in 2018, yet he’s developed into one of the best overall tackles. The Raiders rarely help him out of the left side, and he has allowed just three quarterback hits all season long.”
In the last two games that Miller played in, the Raiders rushed for 218 yards on average and gained 6.2 yards per carry. In the contest he didn’t play, the Raiders rushed for 109 yards while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. It’s safe to say that Miller has played a significant role in the running game’s success this year. The Raiders can use him as a weapon in the run game thanks to his athleticism.
Miller has kept Derek Carr upright this season
Miller’s pass blocking is a skill that is underappreciated in his arsenal. Miller has only permitted three quarterback hits all season, according to PFF. People are unaware that Miller is going up against elite edge rushers without any assistance, which is a remarkable accomplishment. This was evident in his most recent performance against the Los Angeles Chargers, where Miller helped keep Derek Carr clean. Khalil Mack was unable to get past Miller and finished the game without recording any stats. Miller was named the top left tackle of the week by PFF as a result of his performance.
What To Watch For On Thursday Night Football
On Thursday Night Football, Miller and the Raiders’ offensive line take on the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are ranked 19th in the NFL in terms of sacks, according to LineUps. This does not imply that they are complacent. They have players like Bobby Wagner and Leonard Floyd, who each have five sacks on the year. And thus, during clear passing downs, the Raiders should keep an eye on them. The Rams’ run defense is among the best in the league. The Rams have given up the fifth fewest rushing touchdowns and the fourth fewest rushing yards, as stated in LineUps. Aaron Donald, their star defensive tackle, won’t be available. Without Donald, gaining rushing yards will be simpler, but the Raiders’ O-line will still need to be on their A-game.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
