Silver And Black Pride
The left tackle spoke highly of Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze, Caleb Rogers, Charles Grant
Heading into the 2025 season, the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to have a young offensive line. Three out of five projected starters are still on their rookie contracts. Plus, if Dylan Parham and Jordan Meredith beat out Alex Cappa for the two guard spots during training camp, 80 percent of the first-string unit will have less than four years of experience.
But the one mainstay in the trenches whose job isn’t in jeopardy this fall is left tackle Kolton Miller. The 2018 first-round pick is about to enter his eighth year in the NFL, making him one of the most experienced players on the roster.
Only three players on the roster—quarterback Geno Smith (13 years), running back Raheem Mostert (11 years) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (10 years)—have spent more time in the league than Miller. Also, he and kicker Daniel Carlson are the longest tenured Raiders on the roster.
Naturally, that pushes the veteran offensive lineman into a leadership role on the team, especially within his position group. So far, he’s been embracing that responsibility while grooming second-year center Jackson Powers-Johnson to eventually take over as the captain of the line.
“I’ve had a lot of great mentorships in that,” Powers-Johnson replied when asked about becoming a leader on the team. “I’ve been with Maxx [Crosby] all offseason and seeing how he handles things and trying to manage that as much as possible. I also got vets in the room with Alex Cappa and Kolton Miller, so seeing how they lead, seeing how they go and just trying to replicate that.”
Naturally, Miller was asked about the young center’s comments and what he’s seen from the second-year pro since the team returned to the Intermountain Health Performance Center at the beginning of April.
“So when you look at rookies, especially after the first year, you want to see what they do in the offseason. What path are they taking? Are you going to get better? Or are you going to try to take some time off?” the left tackle explained.
“No, Jackson, what he did, he put in the work this offseason. He’s dropped some weight, he’s looking really good. He’s been working with Maxx Crosby, and that’s the right way to do things. I think he’s a prime example of how to do it, and I’m looking forward to the jump he makes this year.”
As the unit’s leader, the 29-year-old who turns 30 in October, also shared some thoughts on how the rookies within his position group have looked so far during the early practices in Las Vegas.
“I think this rookie class all around; they come in with a sense of maturity. They’re listening, they’re looking ways to improve every day,” Miller said of the 2025 draft class, including third-round picks Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant. “Charles and Caleb, they’re great examples. They’re taking a step each...
