2018 NFL Draft: Oakland Raiders reach for Kolton Miller at No. 15
With his first pick as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, Jon Gruden picked Kolton Miller with the No. 15 selection of the 2018 NFL Draft.
More: Follow our instant grades and live reactions for every top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft
The Oakland Raiders made a smart move, trading the No. 10 selection to the Arizona Cardinals who had their eyes set on quarterback Josh Rosen. That trade gave Jon Gruden extra ammunition for the rest of the draft, the question became whether or not he would spend those picks wisely.
At the No. 15 selection, which originally belong to the Cardinals, the Raiders reached for offensive lineman Kolton Miller.
Kolton Miller was a post-combine rise that fought his way into the top half of the 2018 NFL Draft. The protector of Josh Rosen’s blind side, Miller played one of the most visible positions at UCLA. His film was good, but not great. He lacks the physicality and is a bit too stiff at the point of attack.
Although someone like former Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams might have made more sense here, Miller has the makings of a competent pro prospect. The Oakland line has been one of stronger units in the league, but depth has become and issue. Miller has played up and down the line in college and could come in at multiple spots, depending on where Gruden’s staff decides to put him.
Next: Final 7-Round 2018 NFL Mock Draft
This pick wasn’t exciting. Every pick doesn’t need to be exciting, but this one was supposed to be the start of a new era in Oakland. Oakland traded out of the range of a blue chip prospect and left themselves with a decent starter. It’s a severe downgrade and an inauspicious start for Jon Gruden and co.