Raiders make good use of trade bounty, add dynamic WR Martavis Bryant

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ALAMEDA – Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said the NFL Draft’s No. 10 overall pick was popular on Thursday night. He was fielding calls from teams who wanted it to help the Silver and Black move up or down.

“It seemed like our pick was pretty favorable,” McKenzie said. “After sorting it through, we just went ahead and pulled the trigger.”

McKenzie and head coach Jon Gruden executed a trade with Arizona, giving the Cardinals No. 10 for Nos. 15, 79 and 152.

That’s not a king’s ransom, even for five spots, considering Arizona used the pick to draft UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen.

The Raiders made quick use of two picks. They drafted offensive tackle Kolton Miller at No. 15, and traded No. 79 to Pittsburgh for receiver Martavis Bryant.

“Martavis was all about being able to use that (extra) pick and get another player,” McKenzie said. “We feel like we’ve drafted Martavis Bryant.”

There are some obvious differences. The Raiders get a proven commodity over a college player. They get a 27-year old entering a contract year over someone under control for four years.

Bryant automatically upgrades the receiver corps, and should be the No. 3 option behind Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson. It’s also bad news for Seth Roberts, the team’s third receiver in recent seasons. Cooper and Nelson can play his spot in the slot, and he might end up with fewer opportunities in 2019.

Bryant brings something different to the mix. He’s a speed demon who can produce while stretching a defense.

He averages 15.2 yards per receptions, and 31 catches of 20 yards or more in three seasons played. Bryant should have four years under his belt, but missed 2016 while suspended as a repeat offender of the NFL’s substance abuse program.

Bryant was reinstated in April 2017, and turned in a lackluster year with 50 catches for 603 yards and three touchdowns. He was the subject of offseason trade rumors, and ended up with the Raiders on draft day.

The Raiders were comfortable taking him despite 20 games missed over multiple suspensions, confident he can help this offense.

“When we talk about character, we’re not going to condemn them. We’re not going to nail them for life, so to speak,” McKenzie said. “If we see some semblance of whether it’s remorse or whether it’s getting on the right path. … We feel good about giving Martavis an opportunity. We think with our resources, we could help him.”

Bryant’s set to make $1.97 million in 2018. That puts the Raiders over the salary cap, per the NFLPA numbers. They would’ve made moves to help pay the rookies and create roster spots, but they’ll have to get creative financially to work everyone into the financial threshold.

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