Raiders extend contract of key offensive lineman
The Raiders and Kolton Miller have agreed on a contract extension that will keep the left tackle in Las Vegas through 2025, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
The new deal includes $42.6 million in guaranteed money.
Miller was Jon Gruden’s first draft pick upon taking over the Raiders in 2018. Selected 15th in the first round of the 2018 draft out of UCLA, Miller has been a starter at left tackle since his rookie season. He becomes the first Raiders first-round draft pick to earn a second contract with the club since running back Darren McFadden, who was drafted in 2008.
As the years have progressed, Miller has emerged as one of the up-and-coming tackles in the NFL and was ranked 34th at his position in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus. Miller’s pass-block grade ranked 15th.
The Miller extension has been anticipated for some time and played a role in the Raiders trading guard Gabe Jackson, center Rodney Hudson and right tackle Trent Brown to balance out the pay on their offensive line.
Even with Miller playing on his rookie contract in 2020, the Raiders spent $51.9 million on their offensive line but got just three snaps total from their projected starting group.
Going into 2021, the Raiders will have new starters at right tackle, right guard, center and potentially left guard, depending on the health status of Richie Incognito.
Miller represents the only constant, although Denzelle Good, who went into the 2020 season as a backup, ended up playing 958 snaps while filling in at right tackle and left guard.
Good and Incognito are in line to start at the two guard spots, with Andre James and newcomer Nick Martin vying to replace Hudson at center.
That leaves right tackle an open spot. With the Raiders not expressing much urgency in filling the spot through free agency, there are indications they believe a deep draft class at tackle will yield a starting candidate.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on Twitter.
