This Pre-Draft Trade For Disgruntled Veteran Would Greatly Help Patriots
A pre-draft trade for Kolton Miller would make the best-player available approach a hell of a lot easier to justify.
Miller, a 2018 first-round pick who is one of the most consistent left tackles in the NFL, is not participating in the Raiders voluntary offseason program, as reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Wednesday. The 29-year-old is entering his final season under contract and extension talks reportedly have yet to begin.
Mike Vrabel and company have an opportunity to fill the biggest remaining need before the 2025 NFL Draft begins April 24.
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Vrabel insisted the Patriots will operate with a best-player available approach in the draft. It becomes a lot easier to proceed that way if New England trades for a left tackle of Miller’s ilk.
The Patriots wouldn’t have to draft Will Campbell or Armand Membou, highly-regarded prospects who enter with question marks when it comes to their fit at left tackle.
Running back Ashton Jeanty? Edge rusher Jalon Walker? Tight end Tyler Warren? If the Patriots trade for Miller, they could go any number of directions at fourth overall — and feel good about it.
The 6-foot-8, 325-pound Miller has played 109 games (107 starts) at left tackle since entering the league in 2018. In 2024, Miller graded as the 14th-best offensive tackle with the 11th-best in pass-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus. PFF graded him the fifth-best tackle in 2022 and eighth-best in 2021. He’s played more than 1,000 snaps at left tackle in five of his seven seasons.
Typically, teams don’t like to trade for a player only to have to give said player a new contract. But at a premier position like left tackle — a position premier players aren’t typically available — Miller might be worthy of an exception. New England has the finances, after all. And Miller probably could be had for a third-rounder or some combination of equivalent pick swaps.
The Patriots did a good job addressing needs during free agency, and it’s opened them up entering the NFL draft. A trade for Miller would allow them to operate free from all need, though.