There isn’t a lot of debate when it comes to projecting the starting player at most positions on the Oakland Raiders roster. Most of the starters, at least until training camp and the pre-season are concluded, are already known. But there are a few spots seemingly up for grabs. One of those looks to be the tight end position, and there is a lot of buzz surrounding rookie Clive Walford.
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Walford has been touted by many as the best all around tight end coming out of the draft; a guy that can pass and run block just as good as he can catch the ball. He had a great OTA session last month, good enough to make many fans and experts call for him as the starter going into training camp. That spot currently is assumed to be taken by the incumbent tight end, Mychal Rivera. But will that be the case in several weeks?
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Rivera is coming off of a fairly decent 2014 season when it comes to numbers. He pulled in almost 60 receptions for close to 550 yards and totaled 4 TD’s. While those numbers aren’t staggering by any stretch, they are similar to either projected starters like Owen Daniels (Broncos), or last year quality players like Jermaine Gresham (Bengals).
When you look at Rivera’s performance beyond the numbers, however, his performance in 2014 wasn’t that convincing. Pro Football Focus is a source of information that many experts point to when truly evaluating each and every player and play. What is their opinion of Rivera? Out of 67 tight ends they evaluated in 2014, Rivera ranked 66th, mostly due to being the worst run blocking tight end in their opinion.
To be fair, Rivera was much higher rated in 2013 at 23rd overall, but either way, the Raiders want more from the tight end position. And while some websites like ourlads.com have Walford as far down as 3rd on the depth chart, it would be a big surprise if Walford wasn’t either the starter or the back up when the season begins.
According to Raiders.com, Oakland is hoping Walford will be the starting tight end by week one. They have been searching for a player at the tight end spot that can play every down; someone who can run block, pass block and catch the ball. That type of versatility is hard to come by in the NFL and is a trait the elite guys at the position like Jason Witten and Rob Gronkowski seem to have.
In offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave’s up tempo offense, Oakland can’t afford to have players being unable to do the key things necessary to move the ball both through the air and on the ground. It can’t be one-dimensional and still be successful over the entire season. If defenses know that certain tight ends in the game equal a run or pass play, it is much easier to game plan. Walford can take that advantage away if he plays up to his potential.
While the Raiders will need almost every player on the team to contribute at some point this season, they sorely need the full-time skill position starters to be multi faceted. If Walford continues to impress when training camp and the preseason starts, he has to be the guy come week one.
Next: Oakland's Breakout Players for 2015
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