Raiders Expected To Put Mychal Rivera On Trade Block

Mychal Rivera is a name to watch as the draft approaches, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who says (via Twitter) that the Raiders are expected to place the tight end on the trade block. As Adam Caplan of ESPN.com observes (via Twitter), Oakland is “very high” on Clive Walford, and wants to expand his role going forward.Mychal Rivera

Rivera, 25, started 10 games for the Raiders in 2014, catching a career-high 58 balls for 534 yards and four touchdowns. However, he saw his role reduced in 2015 upon the arrival of Walford, who was selected by Oakland by the third round in last spring’s draft.

Although Rivera still caught more passes in 2015 than Walford (32 to 28), he averaged just 8.8 yards per reception and found the end zone only once. Walford had three TDs and averaged nearly 12 yards per catch, and also assumed a larger role within the offense during the second half of the season.

After earning the minimum salary for his first three seasons, Rivera will see his base salary jump to $1.671MM for 2016, which perhaps contributes to the Raiders’ apparent willingness to move him. If Oakland finds a taker for the Tennessee product, the return isn’t likely to be significant, but the team could add a late-round pick or a backup player.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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