The Oakland Raiders have upgraded their receiving corps. During the first day of the drag, the services of Martavis Bryant were secured in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Raiders had to pick a third round for the wide receiver. The same one got only moments before the trade, after one had given his right to vote in 10th place in the draft to the Arizona Cardinals and received for it the 15th, 79th (now Pittsburgh) and 143rd pick.
Bryant has been the subject of repeated trade rumors in recent years. Due to problems off the field he is said to have been unhappy with his role after JuJu Smith-Schuster’s arrival in Pittsburgh. The 2016 season Bryant missed closed. In 2017, he reached 50 receptions for 603 yards and 3 touchdowns.
“It’s like drafting a player,” said Raiders CEO Reggie McKenzie after the deal. “I have a feeling we have drafted Martavis Bryant.”
After Jordy Nelson, Oakland gets the second receiver in the offseason, which is supposed to appear at Amari Cooper’s side. Bryant will play a role as Deep Threat in the new system of Head Coach Jon Gruden.
The Raiders decided on Thursday evening with the 15th pick for offensive tackle Kolton Miller.