Mychal Rivera Named Most Overrated Player On Oakland Raiders Roster

Dec 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera (81) runs with the ball after making a catch against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the 49ers 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Tight end Mychal Rivera is often considered as an under the radar player based on his productive two seasons in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders. A late round pick out of Tennessee, Rivera has been the most productive red zone threat on the team in many regards, developing chemistry with Matt McGloin in his rookie 2013 season before pairing with Derek Carr last season two catch four touchdowns for a second consecutive season.

More from Las Vegas Raiders News

Those numbers have earned Rivera praise as an underrated tight end who can do damage if teams do not account for his playmaking ability. However not every analyst is showing Rivera props as the tight end was recently listed as the most overrated player on the Raiders roster by Bleacher Report.

B/R columnist Russell S. Baxter tipped Rivera as his most overrated player on the Raiders roster in his recent column breaking down the league’s most overrated/underrated players on all 32 teams. Taking a shot at Rivera for having a more famous sister and a lack of consistency despite exceeding expectations as a late round pick. (Baxter also listed Hudson as his most underrated Raiders player despite him getting a massive free agency contract from Oakland for what it is worth.)

From Baxter’s Overrated/Underrated column:

"Overrated: TE Mychal RiveraPerhaps it’s too early to put the young tight end on the list but Rivera may be the victim of added publicity due to his more-recognizable sister. In any case, the former sixth-round pick has hauled in 96 passes for 941 yards and eight touchdowns in 32 games but has also been target 159 times. A little more consistency as well as some improvement in terms of his run blocking would likely fill new head coach Jack Del Rio with…glee."

While Baxter has a point that Rivera could be more consistent, something that might happen with more experience going into Year 3, it is hard to see him as the most overrated player on the Oakland roster simply based on his late round contract along with the expectations that come with it. Reggie McKenzie has received more than the value of his sixth round pick that he has spent on Rivera which in itself makes the tight end far from overrated. In the kindness of the offseason we will refrain from listing the more worthy candidates, but there are higher paid and more overrated names that are currently filling the Raiders roster right now.

More from Just Blog Baby

A relatively small name the definition of underrated doesn’t suit Rivera, but he does need to up his game if he is going to be recognized as an impact player. In his current role and with his current reputation there aren’t many people actually overrating Rivera’s talents out there, but if he wants to get to the next level he does have work to do in making plays week in and week out at tight end.

A new rookie coming in to the fold in Clive Walford, competition may make or break Rivera in 2015, regardless of his perception outside of Oakland the now third year playmaker needs to find the football even more if he is going to remain as the most productive tight end on the Raiders roster.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News

Mychal Rivera Named Most Overrated Player On Raiders Roster

By Chase Ruttig | May 25, 2015

More from Just Blog Baby