In the NFL, a tight end can often be a young quarterback's best friend. Sure, a strong running game is a huge boon to a signal-caller's development and high-quality wide receivers make airing it out easier, but when it comes to moving the chains, providing consistent production and a steady, sure-handed target, there's nothing quite like a tight end who knows how to run crisp routes, sit down in zones and box out slower linebackers and smaller corners. Because of that, Oakland Raiders tight end Clive Walford may be set for a high-impact first NFL season, the likes of which even Walford may not be quite expecting. Walford, currently dealing with a hamstring injury, not only looked "impressive" during Raiders OTA work, he also seems set for a "significant role" during his rookie season, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Caplan. While the wonky hamstring has kept Walford off the practice fields for Raiders training camp thus far, per Caplan, he should make his preseason debut "within the next few days." (UPDATE, 1:00 PM: Caplan says that Wednesday is the target date for Walford's return)
The potential news has to be like music to the ears of Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. Carr, entering his second NFL season, showed ample promise, helming the Oakland offense more like a cagey veteran and less like a wet-behind-the-ears rookie, last season. His final stat line wasn't necessarily impressive - 3,270 yards, 21 touchdowns, 12 interceptions - but it was the manner in which he played and the leadership and poise he showed that has Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave cautiously optimistic heading into this season.
With an offense that now features hype-machine and recent first-round pick Amari Cooper, another former first-round pick in Michael Crabtree and a running game that's likely to be of the ground-and-pound variety, headed up by Latavius Murray, Walford's role could potentially get lost in the shuffle.
But considering Walford's ample athleticism and vastly improved blocking ability during his final season at Miami, he might be in line to see the field quite often for the Raiders offense right from the get-go. And when Carr is faced with that first vital third-down and the defense has blanketed Cooper and Crabtree on the outside, it's likely to be Walford's number that he calls.
