With The First Pick
Fansided

Oakland Raiders With Big Statistical Years Coming

By Carl Cockerham

Jun 15, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr at minicamp press conference at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr at minicamp press conference at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tight end Clive Walford (88) catches a pass while defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) during an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tight end Clive Walford (88) catches a pass while defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) during an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Clive Walford

The Raiders knew they had a steal the moment they selected TE Clive Walford in the third round last year. He broke every significant TE record at the University of Miami. And that’s at a school that TEs like Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow II, Greg Olsen and Jimmy Graham went to.

When he first got to the Raiders, he immediately became the star of minicamp and OTAs. But he would severely pull a hamstring and it would last all the way into the season. We already know how important training camp is to a rookie and missing those reps made it hard on him.

So Week 5 against the Denver Broncos is when we finally saw his big-play ability with a 33-yard catch. He was then gradually worked into the offense more and by the end of the season, he was an established threat down the seam to opposing defenses.

This year, it looks like Walford is going into training camp with no injuries and knows the offense with a year under his belt. That year under his belt is also a year that he had to build chemistry with his QB. Look for Walford to have around 800 yards and 10 TDs, making big plays.

Next: Amari Cooper

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