Ranking the AFC West: Offensive Tackles

Ranking the AFC West: Offensive Tackles

We move from the offensive skill positions to the big fellas who do the dirty work. We start with the pass protectors who give the quarterbacks time to work and find open receivers.

1. Broncos

Starters: LT Garett Bolles, RT Bobby Massie

After a rough first couple of years, Bolles has turned into one of the best left tackles in the NFL. Last season he gave up just a half-sack in 15 starts.

Massie too was considered a middling starter for most of his career but has quietly stepped up the past few seasons as the starting right tackle in Chicago. A solid 2018 season earned him a 4-year extension,  but injuries ended his past couple of seasons.

2. Chiefs

Starters: LT Orlando Brown Jr, RT Mike Remmers

Brown comes over in a trade with the Ravens, becoming the division’s only Pro Bowl tackle. Brown has been to two Pro Bowls in three NFL seasons. The Chiefs lost former first overall pick Eric Fisher to injury and managed to replace him with a potential upgrade.

Remmers stepped in at right tackle for the injured Mitchell Schwartz last season and earned a return as the starter. In ten starts, Remmers didn’t give up a single sack.

3. Raiders

Starters: LT Kolton Miller, RT Alex Leatherwood

Miller has improved each season, playing into the level of one of the more solid left tackles in the league. He gave up a respectable two sacks in 2020 in 14 starts. His run blocking has been better, but could still use some work.

The Raiders made former Alabama left tackle Alex Leatherwood their pick at 17 overall in the draft and will put him at right tackle. Leatherwood is known as a strong run blocker but has some concerns as a pass protector. He will get his shot at right tackle to see if he can hold up.

4. Chargers

Starters: LT Rashawn Slater, RT Bryan Bulaga

Veteran Bryan Bulaga is a proven talent. Though he is coming off a down season, giving up 3.5 sacks in just ten starts. He is joined by 13th overall pick Rashawn Slater, widely considered one of the top tackles in this draft. Then again, left tackle in the pros isn’t always an immediate transition.

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Raiders give LT Kolton Miller three-year contract extension

Raiders give LT Kolton Miller three-year contract extension

Well, it finally happened. The Raiders haven’t given a second-contract to a first-round pick since Darren McFadden, who they selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

But that trend has now changed as the team has locked up former 2018 first-round pick Kolton Miller to a three-year contract with $42.6 million in guaranteed money. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and the deal is set to pay Miller upwards of $18 million per season.

Over the last three seasons, Miller has started 48 games at left tackle for the Raiders. He has dealt with several lower-body injuries but has managed to improve drastically over the last three years. He’s become one of the league’s best pass-protecting offensive tackles and that’s not surprising given just how athletic he was coming out of UCLA.

Miller is just 26 years old and his best football is still ahead of him. The Raiders don’t have many long-term building blocks on their offensive line, but Miller is certainly one of them. He is now signed through the 2025 season and that is great news for Derek Carr and company.

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