NAPA – Kolton Miller draws significant attention. Comes with the territory as a first-round selection. Fans and media are focused on his progress, meaning Raiders coaches are routinely asked to evaluate the No. 15 overall pick and his NFL readiness.
The answers go a little something like this.
Shockingly athletic for his size. Smart, easily coachable. Strong, silent type. Learns from mistakes, but…we’ll have to wait for pads to come on to know what we’ve got.
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That day has arrived.
The Raiders will practice in pads for the first time since last winter Sunday, beginning a physical stretch that continues through next week, joint practices with Detroit and the exhibition opener against the Lions.
This is a proving ground both lines, especially in rushing attack and defense.
“I’m really excited to put the pads on,” Miller said. “You don’t really know how guys are going to be until Sunday. It takes things to another level.”
NFL
Miller will be examined closely. And, yes, he will be challenged.
He’s been working exclusively with the first team while Donald Penn’s recovering from foot surgery on the physically unable to perform list. He’s going heads up with Bruce Irvin most every play, which can be mentally and physical taxing on anyone.
“Kolton’s blocking a beast over there,” head coach Jon Gruden said. “Bruce Irvin is one of our captains right now and he’s going to test Miller every day. We’re really pleased with Kolton, not only from an athletic standpoint but from a mental standpoint. [Offensive Line Coach Tom] Cable is on him every day. He’s learning how to play with Derek Carr, who’s doing a lot at the line of scrimmage. He’s showing a lot of poise and he’s very talented.”
He’s also a bit bigger and stronger. Miller worked hard to gain good weight this offseason, without sacrificing the agility vital to his game. Miller doesn’t talk much, if any, trash, but has a mean streak underneath a calm exterior. He wants to combine that with technical savvy.
He’ll have help in that regard. It has came from Penn this spring, despite the young buck being drafted as his successor. Left guard Kelechi Osemele has been a peer mentor in camp, working next to him each rep.
“He’s real athletic, man,” Osemele said. “Just like his pass set, his lateral movement and stuff like that. He’s such a big dude, it takes you by surprise. He’s really athletic. I don’t think that’s ever going to be a case with him getting beat, just someone running around him or anything like that. With a guy like that it’s going to be him working on his anchor. Just being in the weight room and getting stronger and stuff like that. As far as the framework of being an elite left tackle, he has the tools there. I really just think it’s up to us to get him where he needs to be.”
Miller might need to get there quick. There’s a possibility, if Penn doesn’t return strong from rehab – the Pro Bowler’s expected to do exactly that – Miller might be called on when games actually count. Time will tell on that front. He’s just focused on daily improvement, even under a microscope.
“Kolton looks real good right now,” Osemele said. “We still have a lot of work to do, you know? It’s our first time working together, so just knocking the rust off on double teams and stuff like that. Making sure we’re going the right way. You know, just the little things rookies go through. Physically his development, his understanding of our play-calling, the game, our scheme, he’s way ahead of where I would’ve been at this point of training camp my rookie year.”