Breaking Down the Raiders' Offseason TE Acquisitions

The Las Vegas Raiders added several tight ends during free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft.

After trading away Darren Waller and Foster Moreau signing with the Saints, fortunately being cleared to play football again, the Raiders were down their top two tight ends from 2022.

They responded by signing Austin Hooper, who spent last season with the Tennessee Titans, and O.J. Howard, who played for the Houston Texans last season.

The Raiders also drafted arguably the top tight end in the NFL draft in Michael Mayer, out of Notre Dame. Although they lost their main tight ends from last season, they reloaded the room with capable veterans and a complete young player with a high ceiling.

Let’s look at what the tight-end room looks like going into the 2023 season.

Austin Hooper came into the NFL in 2016 after he was drafted in the third round by the Atlanta Falcons. To this point in his career, Hooper has caught 339 passes for 3,468 yards and 25 touchdowns. His best season came in 2019 when he caught 75 passes for 787 yards and six touchdowns.

After that season, Hooper signed with the Cleveland Browns to a massive four-year, $44 million deal, but he was released after just two seasons. Hooper caught 41 passes for 444 yards and two touchdowns last season with the Titans.

O.J. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Howard in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons there, catching 119 passes for 1,737 yards and 15 touchdowns. His best season came in 2018 when he caught 34 passes for 565 yards and five touchdowns.

The Raiders drafted Michael Mayer with the 35th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, moving up three spots to select him. Mayer, a two-time All-American, often draws comparisons to star tight ends such as Jason Witten and Rob Gronkowski. He is exceptional as a run blocker and route runner and has the potential to be the Raiders’ new long-term tight end.

The Raiders have a mix of veterans and young tight ends on the team, and they each have a chance to be productive.

The Raiders' offseason workout schedule is as follows:

OTA Offseason workouts: May 22-23, May 25, May 31-June 2, June 12-15

Mandatory Minicamp: June 6-8

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