Fansided
Fansided

Key NFL Week 1 matchup: Raiders tackles vs. Broncos edge rushers

By Jason Truitt

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images /
facebooktwitterreddit

The battle up front between the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos in their Week 1 NFL matchup will be one to watch.

Week one in the NFL will feature many highlight skill player matchups. Tyreek Hill against Jalen Ramsey and Ravens’ rookie Marquise Brown lining up against the elite Dolphins CB Xavien Howard stand out as specific matchups to watch.

These are undoubtedly quality bouts, but do not let them distract you from the primetime division clash up front with Denver Broncos edge rushers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb going head-to-head with a pair of massive Oakland Raiders offensive tackles.

Kolton Miller vs. Bradley Chubb

Bradley Chubb had an immense rookie season; working his way to an NFL rookie-best 12 sacks and 58 QB pressures, while also snagging 60 total tackles along the way. In 2018, other than Chiefs Dee Ford and Chris Jones (28.5), no NFL pass-rushing duo got more sacks than Miller and Chubb (26.5). Chubb can play and Elway was smart to draft him. In short, Chubb should have a solid sophomore season debut against his opposing blocker, here’s why.

The 15th overall pick from the 2018 NFL Draft, Kolton Miller, struggled just as much, if not more than anyone did on Oakland’s roster last season. Considering the Raiders finished last in the AFC West with a lousy 4-12 record, that’s not good.

It would be kind to call Miller’s rookie season mediocre. The offensive tackle from UCLA allowed more sacks (16) and pressures (65) than anyone in the NFL; earning himself an atrocious grade of 48.2 from Pro Football Focus.

Despite that forgettable year, Miller did have luck against the Broncos, not allowing Chubb to reach quarterback Derek Carr in either showing. Despite the ugly showing last season, Miller has been steadily improving as an offensive tackle.

According to Kyle Martin of Raiders.com, Miller is playing, feeling, and looking better than ever before. Less than a year later, Miller has reportedly gained 18 pounds- now weighing 328- and feels healthy. He also gave 2019 fourth-overall selection, Clelin Ferrell a run for his money in a drill at camp.

Miller’s college and combine numbers could give justice for his rookie season just being a ‘negative fluke’ year due to the professional game experience. Miller ran a sub-five-second 40-yard dash, which something nearly unheard of for an offensive lineman. He also recorded the fastest times for his position in a handful of agility drills. He possesses the potential, that’s why he was a first-rounder.

So with a fast leverage rusher like Chubb, Miller’s above-average quickness could be the Broncos ROLB’s weakness.

"“We think Kolton Miller is going to be one of the best left tackles in football. He’s not only healthy, he’s in great shape. He’s gotten a lot stronger. … Being in the second year of the system, I expect a lot of good things.” Raiders HC Jon Gruden told ESPN this summer."

Raiders head coach Jon Gruden will hope that his improvement will come simultaneously with the team’s recent offseason revamp.

This matchup should be a brawl and will give both players a chance to make a strong impression early in the season. Chubb has the advantage, but Miller has the chip on his shoulder.

Trent Brown vs. Von Miller

This past March, former 49ers and Patriots tackle Trent Brown signed an extensive contract with the quickly rebuilding Raiders on a 4-year, $66M contract, making the newly Super Bowl 53 champ the NFL’s highest annually paid tackle. Not bad for a seventh-round draft pick.

More from NFL Mocks

Because he is playing RT, many think that the 380-pound man is getting overpaid. He may not be the best offensive tackle, but he is big-time talent because of the way he can move with that kind of size.

Brown will quickly get a chance to prove he is worth the dough, as he will take on Broncos superstar edge rusher Von Miller in Week 1.

Last season, Brown was in for around 98% of New England’s snaps, allowing just three sacks in what some considered a rusty regular season for NE’s offense. Though the offense did rank fifth in yards per game. In regular and postseason, Brown allowed just 39 pressures on 744 pass-block snaps. Brown didn’t allow a single sack on NE’s postseason run.

As usual, Miller was dominant for the Broncos in 2018.

Miller earned a 90.3-grade last season from PFF by ranking fourth in NFL in sacks with 14.5 and ranked sixth in forced fumbles with 4. That’s what makes Miller so special. When he hits the quarterback, typically in crunch-time, they’re likely to drop that ball.

Since Brown has played on the left-side throughout his career, he hasn’t gotten much experience against Miller.  He will get at least two opportunities a season now. Though even with the little experience they’ve had together, Miller still claims Brown to be one of the best.

"“He’s the best right tackle in the National Football League,” Miller said Wednesday after the first of two joint practices with the 49ers. “And he may even be a top-five tackle, period, in the National Football League. There’s not another tackle who’s that tall, that big and can move the way he moves.” Von Miller told SFGate in 2017."

This specific matchup will be dirty. Both players rely on power and technique to up their game. Miller’s signature bull rush and hand moves will be difficult to execute on someone as big and strong as Brown. Miller would perhaps have to utilize more of a speed-and-leverage type play to succeed.

Next. 2019 NFL Draft grades and analysis for all 32 teams. dark

Come the first game, new Broncos head coach Vic Fangio will learn fast that this defense heavily relies on those two pass rushers. And if Carr wants to get the ball to his new toys, Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams and Josh Jacobs, then both Miller and Brown must step up to the task early.

Home/NFL Hot Takes