Built Through the Draft: Oakland Raiders

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Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders tight end Clive Walford (88) catches a 25-yard reception in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2015: Clive Walford

TE Clive Walford comes from a line of TEs from the University of Miami that come into the NFL and do well. Kellen Winslow Jr., Jeremy Shockey, Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham were all there before him yet he holds all the statistical records for all the TEs that went to the U.

So the Raiders, already having their future star receiver, selected their future star TE in the third round. When Walford got to Oakland, he looked every bit like the future star he was supposed to be. But he would badly pull a hamstring in minicamp and it would last into training camp.

Those reps in training camp are most important for rookies, who are still learning the teams system. So Walford didn’t play much at first and wasn’t able to show us that big-play ability down the seam until Week 5. And from there, the Raiders gradually worked him into offense.

Walford continued to show that big-play ability, was reliable for Carr on third down, and blocked well when he played. He has begun camp healthy this year and has a year in the system under his belt. So all Walford has to do know is continue to build chemistry with Carr and he is sure to be a star himself.

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