Clive Walford

Clive Walford (born October 21, 1991)[1] is a former American football tight end. He played college football for the University of Miami and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Clive Walford
A picture of Clive Walford.
Walford with the Oakland Raiders in 2015
No. 87, 88
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1991-10-21) October 21, 1991
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:252 lb (114 kg)
Career information
High school:Glades Central
(Belle Glade, Florida)
College:Miami (FL)
NFL Draft:2015 / Round: 3 / Pick: 68
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:74
Receiving yards:825
Receiving touchdowns:6
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Walford attended Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, Florida, where he was a 3-sport star in football, basketball, and track. One of his teammates on the Glades Central football team was Buffalo Bills' wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin.[2] He was rated by Rivals.com as a three-star recruit.[3] In July 2009, he committed to the University of Miami to play college football for the Hurricanes football team.[4] Walford also competed in track & field, posting personal-bests of 1.88 meters (6–2) in the high jump and 6.08 meters (19–11) in the long jump.[5]

College career

After he was redshirted as a true freshman in 2010, Walford played in all 12 games with eight starts as a redshirt freshman in 2011. He finished his freshman season with 18 receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown.[6] As a sophomore in 2012, Walford had 25 receptions for 451 yards and four touchdowns over 12 games, of which he started five. As a junior in 2013, he started 12 of 13 games, recording 34 receptions for 454 yards and two touchdowns.[7] Walford returned as a starter his senior season.[8][9]

Professional career

On January 2, 2015, it was announced that Walford had accepted his invitation to play in the 2016 Senior Bowl.[10] Throughout the week leading up to the Senior Bowl, Walford had impressive practices and displayed his pass catching and blocking for NFL scouts.[11] He routinely beat linebackers and safeties and coverage and was commended by NFL analysts Daniel Jeremiah, Chase Goodbread, and Mike Mayock.[12] Mayock claimed Walford was, "the most explosive tight end in this year's draft." and, "All he did (this week) was enhance his value." Mayock also stated Walford was pressing Maxx Williams to be the first tight end selected in the upcoming draft.[13] On January 24, 2017, Walford caught one pass for a ten-yard gain as the South lost to the North 13–34.[14] He was one of 19 tight ends to be invited to the NFL combine and he completed all of the required combine and positional drills. His performance at the combine was described by analysts as "mediocre" and his 40-yard dash time was called "pedestrian".[15] On April 1, 2015, Walford opted to participate at Miami Hurricanes' pro day, along with Phillip Dorsett, Duke Johnson, Ereck Flowers, Anthony Chickillo, Denzel Perryman, Jon Feliciano, Shane McDermott, Thurston Armbrister, Olsen Pierre, Ladarius Gunter, Jake Heaps, and three other teammates. Due to a hamstring injury, Walford chose to only perform positional drills for the team representatives and scouts from all 32 NFL teams, that included head coaches Todd Bowles (Jets), Sean Payton (Saints), and Mike Tomlin (Steelers). During the pre-draft process, he had private visit and workouts with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, and Green Bay Packers.[16] He had private visits or workouts with a few teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs.[2] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Walford was projected to be a second or third round pick. He was ranked the second best tight end prospect in the draft by NFL analysts Charles Davis, Mike Mayock, Lance Zierlein, NFLDraftScout.com, and Sports Illustrated.[17][18][19][20][21]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m)		 251 lb
(114 kg)		 34 in
(0.86 m)		 10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		4.79 s1.72 s2.84 s4.57 s7.32 s35 in
(0.89 m)		10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[22]

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders selected Walford in the third round (68th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.[23] He was the second tight end selected in the draft behind Maxx Williams (second round, 55th overall). The Raiders also selected his Miami Hurricanes' teammate Jon Feliciano in the fourth round (128th overall).[24]

2015 season: Rookie year

On June 16, 2015, the Raiders signed Walford to a four-year, $3.34 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $795,504.[25]

Throughout his first training camp with the Oakland Raiders, Walford competed with Mychal Rivera, Lee Smith, Brian Leonhardt, and Gabe Holmes for the job as the starting tight end. He had an impressive performance during the Raiders' organized team activities and mini camp, but missed the beginning of training camp with a hamstring injury.[26][27] Walford missed the Raiders' last three preseason games after he suffered a knee injury.[28] Head coach Jack Del Rio named Walford the third tight end on the Raiders' depth chart to begin the season, behind Lee Smith and Mychal Rivera.[29][30]

Walford made his NFL debut in the season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals and caught his first NFL reception on a one-yard pass from Derek Carr during the 33–13 loss.[31] During Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, Walford caught a 33-yard pass in a 16–10 loss. The 33-yard reception was the longest of his rookie season. On October 25, 2015, Walford earned his first NFL start and made two receptions for 42 yards as the Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers by a score 37–29. He also scored his first NFL touchdown while being covered by Chargers' cornerback Jimmy Wilson, catching a 23-yard pass from Derek Carr in the second quarter.[32] On December 6, 2015, he caught a season-high five passes for a season-high 53 receiving yards during a 34–20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Walford finished his rookie season with a total of 28 receptions for 329 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games and two starts.[33] Walford played 702 offensive snaps and was targeted 52 times, catching 63% of them in 2016.[34]

2016 season

Entering training camp, Walford was expected to be the starting tight end. Although he surpassed Mychal Rivera on the depth chart, he was named the backup to Lee Smith.[35] Smith remained the starting tight end due to his superior blocking ability.

On September 18, 2016, Walford caught a season-high six passes for 58 yards and scored a 31-yard touchdown during a 35–28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. During a Week 4 matchup at the Baltimore Ravens, he made his first start of the season and caught two receptions for 23 yards in a narrow 28–27 victory. Unfortunately, Walford left the game after suffering a knee injury and missed the Raiders' Week 5 matchup against the San Diego Chargers.[36] During the game, Lee Smith suffered a fracture to his lower leg and was placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season on October 5, 2016, which expanded Walford's role.[37] On November 27, 2016, Walford caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown as the Raiders defeated the Carolina Panthers 35–32. His touchdown reception was on a 12-yard pass from Derek Carr to tie the game in the fourth quarter.[38]

Walford finished the 2016 season with 33 receptions for 359 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in eight starts and 15 games.[39]

2017 season

During the offseason, the Raiders and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave mutually parted ways and he was replaced by Todd Downing. Walford competed with Jared Cook, Lee Smith, Gabe Holmes, Ryan O'Malley, Cooper Helfet, and Pharaoh Brown throughout training camp for a job as the starting tight end.[40] Head coach Jack Del Rio named Walford the Raiders' third tight end behind Cook and Smith to start the regular season.

Through the first 12 games, Walford was limited to three receptions for 10 yards. On December 3, 2017, he caught four passes for 57 receiving yards during the Raiders' 24–17 win over the New York Giants.[41] He suffered a concussion in Week 14 and was placed on injured reserve on December 23, 2017.[42] Walford completed the 2017 season with nine receptions for 80 yards and no touchdowns.[43]

On March 27, 2018, Walford was released by the Raiders.[44]

New York Jets

On April 2, 2018, the New York Jets claimed Walford off waivers.[45] On September 1, 2018, the Jets released Walford.[46]

Indianapolis Colts

On November 28, 2018, Walford was signed by the Indianapolis Colts.[47] On December 7, the Colts released Walford.[48]

New York Jets (second stint)

On December 27, 2018, Walford was signed by the New York Jets.[49] He appeared in one game for the Jets in the 2018 season.[50]

Miami Dolphins

On March 13, 2019, Walford signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.[51] He was released on August 27, 2019.[52] He was re-signed on October 30, 2019.[53] He appeared in seven games and started three for the Dolphins in the 2019 season. He totaled four receptions for 57 yards.[54]

Regular season
Season Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2015OAK 1622828311.8333000.00000
2016OAK 1583335910.9313000.00000
2017OAK 1309808.9260000.00000
2018NYJ 11000.000000.00000
2019MIA 32188.080000.00000
Career48137177610.9336000.00000

Postseason
Season Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2016OAK 112168.090000.00000
Career112168.090000.00000

Personal life

On May 3, 2016, it was reported that Walford suffered a knee injury in an ATV accident. He was unable to participate in spring practices and rejoined the team during the start of training camp.[55]

References
  1. "Clive Walford Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  2. Thurman, Joel (April 1, 2015). "Chiefs meeting with Clive Walford, one of the 2015 NFL Draft's top tight ends". Arrowhead Pride. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  3. "Clive Walford, 2010 Tight End, Miami (FL)". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  4. Hays, Chris (July 21, 2009). "Belle Glade TE/DE Clive Walford commits to Miami Hurricanes for football, though he stars in basketball". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  5. "Clive Walford – Stats". flrunners.com.
  6. "Glades Central grad Clive Walford a bright spot at TE for 'Canes".
  7. "University of Miami tight end Clive Walford knows future depends on 'giving my all'".
  8. "Clive Walford, having a breakout season, named Mackey Award TE of the week – Canes Watch".
  9. "Tight end transformation: Miami's Clive Walford becomes one of nation's best – Canes Watch".
  10. Christy Cabrera Chirinos (January 5, 2015). "Al-Quadin Muhammad back with Hurricanes, Walford gets Senior Bowl invite". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  11. Bryan Fischer (January 21, 2017). "Miami's Clive Walford among Day 2 standouts at Senior Bowl". NFL.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  12. Gary Laney (January 21, 2015). "Senior Bowl standouts: TE Clive Walford wows NFL coaches, while a pair of RBs show off pro form". Cleveland.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  13. Mike Huguenin (January 21, 2015). "Mayock: Clive Walford 'most explosive tight end' in 2015 draft". NFL.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  14. "2015 Senior Bowl: North vs. South". profootballfocus.com. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  15. "Did Clive Walford Hurt His Draft Stock At The Combine?". Procanes.com. February 22, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  16. Matt Porter (April 2, 2015). "Who impressed at Miami Hurricanes pro day, and which NFL personnel attended". caneswatch.blog.palmbeachpost.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  17. "Clive Walford, DS #2 TE, Miami". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  18. Charles Davis (April 1, 2015). "2015 NFL Draft prospect rankings by position". NFL.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  19. Mike Mayock (April 28, 2015). "Mike Mayock's 2015 NFL Draft position rankings 5". NFL.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
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  28. "NFL". Sacramento.cbslocal.com. September 11, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
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