The Las Vegas Raiders are entering a new era, and while Kolton Miller has been a staple of their offensive line for years, his time in silver and black might be winding down. The former first-round pick has been one of the most reliable left tackles in the league, but with just one year left on his contract, the Raiders must decide whether to extend him or move on. Given their current roster situation, trading Miller could be the smartest move.
Why Trading Miller Makes Sense
Miller is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, ranking 14th overall, 11th in pass-blocking, and 31st in run-blocking among 141 tackles, per PFF. He’s still a high-level left tackle, but the Raiders aren’t in a position to contend right now. With a new coaching staff, a potential quarterback transition, and a shifting offensive scheme, Miller’s timeline might not match what Las Vegas is building toward.
Additionally, Miller will be 30 years old next season, and if the Raiders don’t plan to re-sign him, they’d be smart to trade him now rather than lose him for nothing in free agency. Moving Miller would also free up more than $12 million in cap space, giving the Raiders the flexibility to invest in younger talent or rebuild their offensive line with fresh contracts.
Who Would Trade for Miller?
Quality left tackles don’t hit the trade market often, so Miller would have plenty of suitors:
- New York Jets – They desperately need an elite left tackle to protect their next quarterback.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – If they want to solidify their O-line, Miller would be a great anchor.
- Chicago Bears – If Caleb Williams is their pick, they’ll need a veteran tackle to protect him.
Final Thoughts
Kolton Miller is still a great player, but the Raiders need to think about the future. If they aren’t willing to pay him big money next offseason, then trading him now for valuable draft picks or younger talent would be the best way to maximize his value.
Las Vegas is in rebuild mode, and keeping an aging veteran at a premium position might not be in their best interest. Trading Miller could be the move that accelerates their long-term success.
