Ex-Raiders TE Clive Walford Reportedly Claimed by Jets on Waivers

After spending the first three years of his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders, tight end Clive Walford reportedly has found a new home after being claimed by the New York Jets Monday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. 

Walford was released by Oakland on Friday. Per NFL.com's Kevin Patra, the move saved the team $1.9 million in cap space, which proved to be more than the Raiders wanted to pay for a backup tight end.

With Jared Cook atop the depth chart, Walford was limited to just nine catches for 80 yards in 13 games in 2017. He missed the end of last season after being put on injured reserve due to a concussion.

Before Cook's arrival in the Bay Area, however, the former third-round pick showed some promise, totaling 688 yards and six touchdowns in his first two seasons out of Miami. Still just 26 years old, there's plenty of time for the 6'4", 250-pound tight end to become a playmaker in the NFL.

After all, this is a player who earned third-team All-America honors in college. 

The Jets ranked 24th in passing last season and adding Walford to the mix should only help whoever wins the quarterback battle next season. He could also replace Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who left for the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency.

Walford entered the league as someone who could block and catch. Oakland may not have been sold on him, but New York believes the fourth-year player can still live up to the billing. If he can work his way into the offense more than he did last year, this move could pay off in a big way.