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Oakland Raiders: Kolton Miller unprepared for epic battle with Myles Garrett

By Joel W. Cade

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) /
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Oakland Raiders
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Kolton Miller of UCLA after he was picked #15 overall by the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Miller Time

Miller’s play this season has been consistent with that of a rookie left tackle. Miller was the quintessential draft prospect that looked the part, but had yet to play the part. The Raiders seem to like drafting these types of players.

He has the height, weight and body build of a starting NFL left tackle. If God were to create the prototypical left tackle, he would look like Kolton Miller. There are people like Miller in this world, then there are the rest of us. Some people were created to be athletic specimens. In ancient days they called these people demi-gods. They are like a different breed of humanity.

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The problem is, he barely succeeded at the collegiate level. While serving as the primary blocker for then UCLA and current Arizona Cardinal’s quarterback Josh Rosen, Rosen suffered numerous concussions. Not all of them were the result of Miller’s play, but his play certainly contributed the number of hits Rosen took at UCLA. Miller is a project for the Raiders coaching staff. The upside is real — getting there is the problem.

So far this season, Miller has been at his best when run blocking. Miller is NFL ready to run block. When the Raiders engage in their short passing offense, Miller’s deficiencies are masked. The ball getting out of the quarterbacks hands quickly helps Miller.

But the deep passing game is another issue. Miller is slow on his drop backs. Being slow on his drops creates much bigger problems for the rookie. A late drop means he is not fully set before engaging the defender. The defender then has the advantage in both the bull rush and the speed rush.

Miller is still confused by defensive alignments. He does not chop block well. He will hold when getting beat inside. The holding on the inside move is common in the NFL and rarely gets called. Miller has the prototypical look of an NFL left tackle. He just needs a lot of work to get there. But he is slowing improving week to week.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, Myles Garrett is coming to town.

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