Raiders: Finding the perfect TE weapon for Garoppolo in second round
The Las Vegas Raiders made some moves this offseason, but I think one of them is bound to blow up in their face. When they traded away Darren Waller, they ended up signing Austin Hooper, a tight end who was on the Tennessee Titans last year. Behind him is Jesper Horsted. Sure, the Hooper signing […]
The Las Vegas Raiders made some moves this offseason, but I think one of them is bound to blow up in their face. When they traded away Darren Waller, they ended up signing Austin Hooper, a tight end who was on the Tennessee Titans last year. Behind him is Jesper Horsted.
Sure, the Hooper signing was fine, but this is a guy that hasn't had over 450 receiving yards in a season since 2019. Even then he has only had over 500 receiving yards three times of the seven years he has been in the league. To me, the signing just won't work.
So, I think the Raiders should use one of their 12 draft picks to get a tight end just to prepare for that. In the second round, they could possibly get a guy like Sam LaPorta, a tight end from Iowa.
Here is what Pro Football Focus thinks of LaPorta:
LaPorta is outstanding with the ball in his hands. He can not only run away from defenders (4.59-second 40-yard dash), but he can also make them miss (20 broken tackles on 58 catches in 2022). LaPorta is one of the best college tight ends we’ve graded in the PFF college era. In fact, his 20 broken tackles this past season were the fifth-most in our nine years of grading. LaPorta is going to be a weapon on seams, overs, crossers, and flat routes. His speed, combined with his dynamism in space, is meant for such a role. LaPorta is not a security blanket by any means. He struggles to haul in passes outside his frame and make plays through contact. He went only 18-of-44 in contested situations over.
–PFF
The Raiders will have a dynamic offense with players that know the system. They will have one of the best receiver rooms in the entire league, but they will also have one of the worst tight-end rooms in the league.
Why not draft one, and a guy that has the potential to be a very good starter. This is a guy that is great after the catch, is a good route runner, can block a bit, and do everything the Raiders will want him to do.
They should go for LaPorta.
