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By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: Often times, the left tackles for star college quarterback prospects can benefit from the extra attention being paid to their teams by NFL scouts. General managers flock to the games looking to size up a potential franchise quarterbacks, and the pass protection of that player is a factor that has a big impact on their evaluation. Miller is one of those prospects. Having protected Josh Rosen over the past three years, the big Bruins’ offensive tackle had a great opportunity to show his pro potential to top NFL decision-makers.
Miller played right tackle in 2015 and 2016 before injuries ended those seasons early. He only played in five games in 2016. As a junior in 2017, Miller played left tackle for the Bruins. He had an inconsistent season with some good tape, bad moments, and plenty of mixed snaps in between. Still, Miller illustrated that he is a good athlete in a big body. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Miller showed off a long wingspan to go with impressive athleticism in the field work, including a fast 40-yard dash time for an offensive lineman (4.95 seconds). Certainly, Miller has a pro skill set with upside to develop.
Miller has good length, quick feet and agility in pass protection. When he plays with good leverage, Miller uses his feet to get depth in his drop to cut off speed rushers. His length makes him difficult to run around, and he is able to adjust to fight off defenders to give his quarterback enough time to get rid of the ball. Miller can hold up against bull rushers, but could use more strength in his base for the NFL. The inconsistent parts of Miller’s game can come in pass protection when he plays too high and bends at the waist. When Miller is bent over in his midsection and reaching after pass-rushers, he gets in real trouble. That leads to pressures and hits on his quarterback that shouldn’t happen. Miller has to work on bending at the knee in the NFL. His inconsistent and sloppy technique could easily be exploited as a pro, especially early in his career.
Miller has a mean streak as a run blocker and blocks through the whistle. When he plays low, he flashes the ability to drive block some in the ground game. Miller needs to get stronger to knock defenders off the ball and do a better job of sustaining his blocks. With his agility and athleticism, Miller is quick to get to blocks in space and at the second level. He would be a great fit in a zone-blocking system as part of a moving wall.
Miller would be a better fit as a right tackle in the NFL. Eventually, he might develop into a left tackle, but considering his bending issues, it could be very risky to stick him in right away at left tackle. In the long run, staying at right tackle could be the best move for Miller. He has a shot at being a late first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he is likely to get selected in the second round if he slips to Friday night.
Player Comparison: Jeremy Trueblood. Miller reminds me of a weaker, but more athletic, version of Trueblood. Both of them were very tall college left tackles who were better fits on the right side for the NFL. Like Miller, Trueblood had some issues playing too high and being too much of a waist bender. They also both have a mean streak. Trueblood was a second-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, and Miller could go in the same frame this year.
NFL Matches: Jacksonville, New England, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Denver, Miami, Arizona, Baltimore and Cincinnati
There are a lot of teams that could be a fit for Miller in the 2018 NFL Draft. Late in the first round, Miller could find a home with one of the playoff teams. The Jaguars’ offensive line could still get better and more talented. Miller could upgrade the Jacksonville line at right tackle over Jeremy Parnell. New England lost Nate Solder in free agency, so Miller could interest the Patriots as a replacement.
Philadelphia needs another tackle of the future to pair with Lane Johnson. Johnson could go to left tackle to replace aging veteran Jason Peters with Miller being the starting right tackle. Miller could make a lot of sense for the Eagles’ first-round pick.
In Round 2, there are a lot of potential homes for Miller. Joe Thomas retired, and the Browns will need a new starter at left tackle, so it could be possible they would think of Miller with one of their second-round picks. A few picks later, Denver could use more offensive line help. The Broncos could bookend Garett Bolles with Miller on the right side. Tampa Bay probably will address more pressing needs, but the Bucs could use a left tackle upgrade. If they took Miller, they could move Donovan Smith to right tackle or guard.
The Dolphins need help on the line and might not keep Ja’Wuan James for the long term. Miami could draft Miller in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and start him out at guard. If James isn’t in the long-term plans, then Miller could move to right tackle to form a tandem with Laremy Tunsil.
The Cardinals’ offensive line was a mess in 2017. If Arizona takes a quarterback in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Miller makes a lot of sense for the organization as an offensive line upgrade in Round 2.
Baltimore could use an upgrade at right tackle, so pairing Miller and Ronnie Stanley could make sense for the Ravens.
Even after trading for Cordy Glenn, Cincinnati could look to do more to improve its offensive line, so Miller could be in play for the Bengals at right tackle. If they draft Miller, they could move Cedric Ogbuehi inside to guard.
RELATED LINKS:
2018 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2018 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2018 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
NFL Picks - Nov. 7
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 6
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 5
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
