October 27, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; Tennessee Volunteers tight end Mychal Rivera (81) makes a reception in front of South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker DeVonte Holloman (21) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Tight end Mychal Rivera was one of five former Tennessee Volunteers to be drafted this weekend. Rivera was drafted in the 6th round with the 184th overall pick by the Oakland Raiders on Saturday.
Rivera had a very productive senior season at Tennessee, recording 562 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 36 receptions.
We had projected Rivera to be a mid-round selection, but we predicted he would be drafted in the 5th round by the Miami Dolphins.
The Oakland Raiders also drafted tight end Nick Kasa out of Colorado in the 5th round. Tight end was a position of need for the Raiders, they lost their leading tight end from 2012, Brandon Myers, to free agency earlier in the off-season. Myers signed a four year deal with the New York Giants.
Rivera will have to work on his blocking game, but he should immediately be an asset in the passing game. Rivera has great hands and is a solid route runner as well.
Mychal Rivera will join fellow former Tennessee Volunteers Kevin Burnett and Denarius Moore in Oakland. Moore was drafted by the Raiders in 2011 and was once teammates with Rivera at Tennessee. Burnett signed with the Raiders earlier this off-season after previously playing with the Miami Dolphins