Picked in the sixth round of the 2013 draft, Mychal Rivera exceeded expectations as a rookie, since the Raiders originally were not counting on him for a big role. But when David Ausberry was lost for the season, Oakland turned to Rivera. He caught 38 passes for 407 yards and four touchdowns. As the saying goes, not bad for a beginner. Will Rivera ride his rookie wave of success up the fantasy rankings in his second NFL tour of duty?
Fantasy Upside
Ausberry has the athletic edge on Rivera, but can’t seem to stay healthy, as he has just recently had a knee procedure. Around the same time as Ausberry’s procedure, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Oakland offensive coordinator Greg Olson tabbed Rivera as one of the most improved players in camp. Rivera’s growth and durability is a plus, as well as the fact that new Oakland starting quarterback Matt Schaub has a history of throwing to tight ends. The sad sack Raiders are going to be facing a lot of deficits, which will lead to more passing.
Fantasy Downside
With the Raiders employing three different quarterbacks and Rivera going through typical rookie growing pains, he did not end up on many fantasy rosters. Unfortunately for Mychal, Oakland is expected to have more chaos behind center as Schaub and rookie Derek Carr could both make starts. The Raiders don’t use their tight ends as outlet receivers as much as other teams, as running backs Darren McFadden, Marcel Reece, and Maurice Jones-Drew are capable targets out of the backfield. At wide receiver, Oakland is high on holdovers Andre Holmes and Rod Streater and also signed James Jones, further indication Rivera and Ausberry probably won’t develop into featured threats.
Bottom Line
Rivera’s numbers have the potential to be better with additional experience, but there are too many negative factors that will keep them from rising dramatically. He will remain a fixture in the free agent pool.
