Raiders depth chart: Kolton Miller is a stalwart left tackle, but who can fill in if he isn’t available?

Even from afar, James Cregg knows what Kolton Miller brings to the table.

Noting he's watched plenty of film, the Las Vegas Raiders new offensive line coach is well aware the Silver & Black's blindside protector is one of the best in the league. Miller's ability and presence at left tackle gives Cregg a stalwart linemen in his starting five as the coach takes the reins as the Raiders' trench boss. And it's a reputation built on development, improvement, and success for Miller.

Standing at 6-foot-8 and 325 pounds, the 28-year-old Roseville native was originally panned as the 15th overall pick out of UCLA in the 2018 NFL Draft . Dubbed a need selection that was taken way too early with other better prospect available when the Raiders picked, Miller had an up-and-down rookie year — due in large part to a lower-body injury. But once he was healthy, the mammoth offensive tackle showed the nimbleness and quick feet that made him an excellent zone blocking scheme blindside protector and he hasn't looked back since. The painful rookie year lessons created a hardened veteran tackle that anchors the Silver & Black offensive line.

Miller is rarely overpowered by bull rushers or whiffs on speed rushers and is a steady pass protector and agile run blocker. Slated to once again play the all-important left tackle role, Miller can be a lead-by-example type for the Raiders offensive line along with center Andre James, a fellow UCLA product that took over the left tackle role when Miller was drafted by the Raiders.

Yet, for all the good Miller brings to the table with experience and production, what ailed the left tackle this past season was availability. Dinged up with a shoulder ailment, he played in 13 games last season with 11 starts. In 2022, Miller missed one game but played in and started 16 games. The year before that, he started in all 17.

In total, of the 99 games in Miller's six-year career, he's played in 92 with 90 starts. While that doesn't sound disconcerting when looking at the totals, for an integral position like left tackle, any missed time can break the mojo of any NFL offense.

Fortunately for the Raiders this past season, Thayer Munford Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor filled stepped in and did well on an island on the left side in Miller's stead. Eluemunor, however, is now with the New York Giants while Munford is entrenched in the competition to start at right tackle — a spot where he's played the most since entering the league as the Raiders seventh-round pick (238th overall) in the 2022 draft.

Which beckons the question: Who is the backup left tackle?

Miller was spectator during much of the Raiders offseason activities thus far and we're likely going to see him back in action later this month during training camp. But Las Vegas isn't without options.

There's a veteran option with plenty of experience and snaps along with a slew of younger players who offer intriguing size but lack the in-game chops.

Andrus Peat, 10th year, 2015 NFL Draft (13th overall): With 111-career games under his belt (102 starts), the 30-year-old brings a wealth of experience — primarily at left guard. The 6-foot-7, 316-pound Peat did get snaps at left tackle for the New Orleans Saints this past season and was got first-team snaps with Miller absent from the lineup in offseason activities thus far. The Stanford product has the experience and skillset to make a go of the tackle/guard role that Eluemunor had when he was a Raider.