The New York Jets have claimed tight end Clive Walford off waivers from the Oakland Raiders.
The Jets announced the move Monday. It provides New York depth at tight end after Austin Seferian-Jenkins recently signed with Jacksonville as a free agent.
After catching 61 passes in his first two NFL seasons, Walford saw limited action in new coordinator Todd Downing's offense last season. Walford missed the last three games with a concussion that landed him on injured reserve. He had just nine catches for 80 yards and no TDs.
Walford was a third-round pick in 2015 and caught 28 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie. He was involved in an ATV accident that injured his knee before the 2016 season, but played 15 games and caught 33 passes for 359 yards that year before seeing his playing time and production drop sharply in 2017. He’s set to make $1.9 million in the final year of his rookie deal.
There's no question that the Jets had a need at tight end after 2017 starter Austin Seferian-Jenkins left town to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. Walford should be able to step in and make an impact right out of the gate for his new team now, who'll have a new-look offense for the most part in 2018.
Before adding Walford, the only other tight ends on the Jets' roster were Eric Tomlinson, who had eight receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown in 2017, and Jordan Leggett, who missed all of last season after suffering a knee injury in the preseason.
The 26-year-old was released by the Raiders last Tuesday, as they have a crowded tight end room on the West Coast, saving $1.9 million in the process.
Thanks to their 5-11 finish last season, the Jets have the sixth-highest waiver priority in the NFL this offseason. Only the Browns, Giants, Colts, Texans, and Broncos could have prevented the Jets from landing Walford.
