Raiders offensive line: What’s Kolton Miller’s future with the team?

Stalwart left tackle is on final year of extension he signed back in 2021

From panned as a first-round reach to a stalwart anchor of the Las Vegas Raiders offensive line, Kolton Miller is a textbook example of a player who struggled, grinded, and evolved into an elite player.

The No. 15 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft plays the integral left tackle position which protects the quarterback’s blind side. Injuries dampened Miller’s effectiveness his rookie season but he’s since become a left tackle that can handle power and speed rushers alike who uses his 6-foot-8, 326-pound frame to engulf defenders.

Seven season deep, Miller is in his prime at age 29 and remains one of the top left tackles in the league. So much so, Miller earned a three-year, $54.015 million contract extension (with $42.6 million guaranteed) during the 2021 offseason.

But that extension runs through this upcoming 2025 campaign. With a $15.68-plus salary cap number this year (which is quite affordable for a left tackle of Miller’s caliber; 13th-highest cap number at the position group overall) Miller is slated to hit unrestricted free agency next offseason.

Thus, what’s Miller’s future with the team?

Spotrac identified Miller is one of the notable extension candidates in the NFL. And it’s easy to see why.

Even after being on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list for the majority of last offseason, Miller returned and — not surprisingly — struggled early. But he regained his elite form to start all 17 games for the Silver & Black in 2024. If Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades are your thing, Miller garnered an overall 80.6 grade from the group which ranks him 14th overall. He earned a PFF pass blocking grade of 82.2 (11th) and run blocking grade of 71.7 (31st). His 1,075 snaps in 2024 ranked 11th amongst tackles, according to PFF and he penalties and sacks allowed of seven, respectively, rank 101st and 127th from the group.

Miller was also the line Raiders offensive lineman to play in all 17 games this past season.

Based on performance, Miller merits a long look at a potential contract extension. General manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll could also determine they’d like to see how Miller fares in the offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s scheme before making another long-term commitment.

Miller’s valuation from Spotrac and Over The Cap (OTC) represent to raise from the extension he signed in 2021 that has an annual per year of $18.005 million. Spotrac hold’s a four-year, $78.781-plus million market value for Miller with an annual average salary per year of $19.695-plus million. OTC, on the other hand, has a valuation of $11.812 million average per year. The higher value from Spotrac would give Miller the 11th richest left tackle average per year. The San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams is atop the position group with an average of $27.553-plus million per season. The Minnesota Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw is right behind with an average of $26 million per year.

That all said, Las Vegas is a team that isn’t hurting for salary cap space and the offseason foray under Spytek and Carroll thus far has shown fiscal responsibility with contract extensions doled out and who the team brought in, brought back, and let walk in free agency.

Considering Miller’s track record and his career progression, having a veteran lead-by-example type long-term helps not only Kelly, but offensive line coach Brennan Carroll and assistant offensive line coach Andy Dickson with the entire unit.

There’s also the matter of not having a readymade option to step into the blindside for Miller, too.

Third-year tackle Thayer Munford Jr. did an admirable job filling in at left tackle when Miller has been unavailable, but the Ohio State product started at right tackle this season before injury saw him get surpassed by rookie DJ Glaze, who was taken in the third round (77th overall) in the 2024 draft. Glaze went on to start 14 games and play 998 snaps at right tackle opposite of Miller. And Glaze doesn’t appear poised to give up that spot anytime soon.

As such, the Raiders depth at tackle reads: Munford, Dalton Wagner, and Gottlieb Ayedze. The latter two are young players who have little NFL experience with Wagner profiling more as a mauling right tackle who is more sound as a run blocker than pass protector.

Ayedze, meanwhile was collegiate teammates with Glaze at Maryland but played right tackle. He was the starting left tackle at Frostburg State for two seasons (2021-22) before his lone year with the Terrapins. Noted for his pass protection, Ayedze needs to get stronger and solidify his anchor against professional power and speed.

Las Vegas could always bolster depth at left tackle as free agency is ongoing and the 2025 draft coming in April.

But Miller’s established himself as one of the best.

Why left a sure thing walk?

And unless there’s a steep drop off in 2025, a long-term pact seems apt.