Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

The Patriots were very close to winning Super Bowl LII. Unfortunately for them, they let the opportunity slip through their hands like a pass to Tom Brady. Instead, they were felled by the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles led by a backup QB who nearly retired during the offseason, an undrafted rookie RB, and the least qualified head coach in NFL history. While they had the opportunity to snatch the Lombardi Trophy from its rightful owners, former Michigan Wolverine Brandon Graham (essentially) locked all windows and doors (h/t Marc Zumoff) by stripping former Michigan Wolverine -- and terrible WR -- Tom Brady late in the 4th quarter (by the way, I’m a Michigan Wolverine myself, which will be relevant soon). A few minutes later, glory was bestowed unto Eagles nation with a harmless Hail Mary attempt that gave myself and millions of other Eagles fans a heart attack.

So with that absolutely necessary bit of background, I am drafting OT Kolton Miller of UCLA on behalf of the Super Bowl Participant Patriots.

….….

….

Oh, do I have to actually explain the pick? I was so busy watching NFL Films clips of Foles calling the Philly Special that I forgot. Yes, I’ve watched those clips almost two dozen times now, but they 100% do not get old.

Now, let’s talk about Kolton Miller. I have to caveat this pick by admitting that AnthroEagle saved me from myself. As a Michigan fan, I absolutely love Maurice Hurst and I would have been sorely tempted to pick him at #31 (the spot before the Super Bowl Champion Eagles). That said, the Patriots do not need a DT. What they need is an OT to replace Nate Solder, and a very solid one if they are going to repeat as Super Bowl Participants.

So why Miller? It’s pretty simple, really. Kolton is enormous and very athletic. At the combine, his 4.95 40 put him in the 94th percentile. He also was in the 91st percentile for the 20 yard shuttle, the 94th percentile for the 3-cone drill, the 87th percentile for the vertical jump, and the 99th percentile for the broad jump. His combination of quick feet, good length, and athleticism makes it difficult for defenders to get around him, which made him an excellent blindside blocker for QB Josh Rosen at UCLA. He is also very good at run blocking and has a nasty streak that allows him to finish blocks and get to the 2nd level.

The main knocks on Miller are that he is raw. He tends to play too high and bends at the waist. He can also be inconsistent with his kickslide and has to get quicker with his punch. Finally, he needs to get stronger or else he will get pushed around in the NFL. With all that said, you can’t coach size and athleticism, but you can coach technique, and I am confident that the Super Bowl Participants’ staff could coach Miller and turn him into a high-quality NFL left tackle to protect Super Bowl losing quarterback Tom Brady and whoever comes next.

And with that, I turn it over to the SUPER BOWL WINNING PHILADELPHIA EAGLES! I know I’m supposed to be repping the Pats, but I LOVE saying that. Cheers!

2018 BGN Community Mock Draft Order

1) Browns (GMinTraining): Saquon Barkley

2) Giants (ablesser88): Quenton Nelson

3) Jets (20Safety_Hazards): Sam Darnold

4) Browns (MJ1893): Josh Rosen

5) Broncos (drc242): Baker Mayfield

6) Colts (I Need a Username): Bradley Chubb

7) Buccaneers (dunc123): Minkah Fitzpatrick

8) Bears (NVEagleShark): Tremaine Edmunds

9) 49ers (Doug Pederson’s Pair of Balls): Calvin Ridley

10) Raiders (Milehighbirds): Derwin James

11) Dolphins (danishdynamite_): Roquan Smith

12) Bills (LAOJoe): Denzel Ward

13) Washington (Eagle1987): Vita Vea

14) Packers (89Tremaine): Mike Hughes

15) Cardinals (RimoDawkins): Josh Allen

16) Ravens (PhillyEagles2011): Mike McGlinchey

17) Chargers (LBCeaglesFan!): Da’Ron Payne

18) Seahawks (KEZHOG): Marcus Davenport

19) Cowboys (Brawnybalboa): Rashaan Evans

20) Lions (dshelton5): Derrius Guice

21) Bengals (Palaniappan K M): Connor Williams

22) Bills (BeamerWentzorBentley): Lamar Jackson

23) Patriots (jy1187): Harold Landry

24) Panthers (dceagles): Justin Reid

25) Titans (ei78): Leighton Vander Esch

26) Falcons (SakPrescott): Taven Bryan

27) Saints (MidMajorMatt): Courtland Sutton

28) Steelers (SummersInVA): Joshua Jackson

29) Jaguars (RecarTabmok): D.J. Moore

30) Vikings (AnthroEagle): Maurice Hurst

31) Patriots (PhilaWolverine): Kolton Miller

32) Eagles (JALupowitz):

---

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the Falcons should pick in the 2018 BGN Consensus Mock Draft.

1) Browns: Saquon Barkley

2) Giants: Sam Darnold

3) Jets: Josh Rosen

4) Browns: Josh Allen

5) Broncos: Baker Mayfield

6) Colts: Bradley Chubb

7) Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick

8) Bears: Quenton Nelson

9) 49ers: Tremaine Edmunds

10) Raiders: Derwin James

11) Dolphins: Roquan Smith

12) Bills: Lamar Jackson

13) Washington: Vita Vea

14) Packers: Denzel Ward

15) Cardinals: Mason Rudolph

16) Ravens: Mike McGlinchey

17) Chargers: Da’Ron Payne

18) Seahawks: Marcus Davenport

19) Cowboys: Rashaan Evans

20) Lions: Derrius Guice

21) Bengals: Connor Williams

22) Bills: Calvin Ridley

23) Patriots: Harold Landry

24) Panthers: Courtland Sutton

25) Titans: Leighton Vander Esch

26) Falcons: Maurice Hurst

27) Saints: Dallas Goedert

28) Steelers: Joshua Jackson

29) Jaguars: D.J. Moore

30) Vikings: Will Hernandez

31) Patriots: