Raiders Bye Week Evaluations: Kolton Miller

Kolton Miller's play on the field -- and his absence -- proved his worth to the Las Vegas Raiders' offensive line.

The Las Vegas Raiders head into their bye week with a chance to reflect on the season so far and prepare for the final five regular season games of 2023.

The Raiders have some work to do to keep their postseason hopes alive, as they sit at 5-7 and are on the outside looking in of the playoff hunt.

When Interim Coach Antonio Pierce took over, the Raiders brought new energy to both sides of the ball. The rest of this season is a chance for the Raiders to try to fight for a playoff spot and find out what they have with their young talent.

One consistent player and an anchor for the Raiders’ offense has been left tackle Kolton Miller, who has developed and improved each year he has been in the league. This season, he has established himself as one of the best left tackles in the NFL.

Miller is the Raiders’ highest-graded offensive player on Pro Football Focus and is ranked as the 10-best offensive tackle in the NFL. According to PFF, Miller has allowed only 13 total pressures in 367 pass-blocking snaps and has committed but one penalty.

Through 10 games, Miller is on pace to have his best season in the Silver and Black. Where Miller’s impact was truly felt was in the two games he missed. 

When he was not on the field, the offensive line as a whole regressed. Even when he was not 100 percent healthy against the Kansas City Chiefs, it was evident that the rest of the line was not playing up to standards.

Kolton Miller's value to the Las Vegas Raiders was evident in the games he missed in 2023 / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The 6-foot-8, 325-pound Miller has improved year after year and has become a franchise cornerstone for the Raiders. He was viewed as raw and a developmental project when he was selected with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of UCLA, but the Raiders benefited by being patient with his development.

Miller is the engine of the Raiders’ offensive line, and the other players on the line play better with him in the lineup. He should continue to get healthy and be a driving force behind an improving Raiders’ offense for the rest of the season. 

The Silver and Black will return home to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 10, at 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PST.

Please tell us your thoughts when you like our Facebook Page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.