If you watched any Las Vegas Raiders game between Weeks 1-4 this season, you’ll likely remember seeing left tackle Kolton Miller stand out – not in a good way, either. During the first month of Sin City’s ’24 campaign, Miller was responsible for six sacks; two more than any other offensive lineman in the National Football League. His 12 pressures allowed in this timeframe stood as the third-most among tackles as well.
Things have changed in a big way since.
From Week 5 onward, Miller has allowed his quarterback to be sacked a total of zero times. With only seven pressures allowed across seven contests, 58 tackles league-wide have been responsible for more pressures than Miller. The 29-year-old’s pass-blocking grade of 89.0 via Pro Football Focus ranks third-highest at his position in the meantime.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for Miller, who many began questioning early on. There hasn’t been any signs of slowing down, either. In fact, this past week in particular presented what was perhaps this best work of the season.
Against the Miami Dolphins in Week 11, the first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft surrendered both zero sacks and zero pressures on 50 passing plays. Not only was his 91.2 pass-block grade the highest at his position this past week, but it ranked first among all offensive lineman at any position.
Kolton Miller is back at the top of the tackle pyramid.
On the other side of the line, however, rookie tackle D.J. Glaze is struggling to keep blockers at bay. His up-and-down rookie campaign continues with Week 11 being a tough day in the office.
Las Vegas Raiders: LT Kolton Miller at his best while rookie RT D.J. Glaze has work to do
For Glaze, Sunday marked the third-straight contest where the first-year tackle allowed at least three pressures. In two-of-three of these contests, the Maryland alum has been responsible for more pressures than any other offensive lineman to play for the Raiders.
Glaze’s 11 pressures since Week 8 stands as the ninth-highest amount among tackles; a ranking made more concerning by Las Vegas having their bye week in this timeframe. The rookie’s 51.0 pass-block stands as the sixth-lowest among all tackles league-wide with at least 100 pass-blocking snaps during the last month of football.
Miraculously, none of Glaze’s allowed pressures have resulted in a sack—that’s the good news. But the Raiders are lucky that’s the case.
In any event, it’s important to remember Las Vegas’ third-rounder in this year’s draft has started a mere seven contests this season. More than that, Glaze has managed to do extraordinary things at the NFL-level early in his career, such as holding first-team All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt to zero pressures when tasked with blocking him.
Overall, the future looks bright for Glaze, but the amount of pressures currently being allowed on a week-to-week basis is unacceptable. That’s the next step for the rook; perhaps Kolton Miller will help nip that in the bud.
*Top Photo: Bobby Ellis/Getty Images