ALAMEDA – Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said it felt like he drafted Martavius Bryant on Thursday night. He and head coach Jon Gruden flipped a third-round pick to Pittsburgh for the dynamic, yet troubled receiver during the NFL draft, shortly after selecting UCLA offensive tackle Kolton Miller 15th overall.
McKenzie’s sentiment seemed appropriate on Friday, when Bryant was introduced in a formal press conference shortly after Miller held up a silver and black No. 77 jersey and smiled for the camera.
Bryant too was flanked by Gruden and McKenzie, giving it a formal feel reserved for top picks. The 27-year old isn’t new to the game. He’s been around since 2014, following an uneven road to Alameda.
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Bryant had some excellent seasons in Pittsburgh, but missed 20 games over two suspensions as a repeat offender of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Bryant, for one, is looking forward to his career’s next chapter.
“It’s a clean slate and a fresh start for me,” Bryant said. “I’ve got a lot to prove. I don’t want to be just a one-dimensional player. I have a lot to work on, all aspects of my game. I’m going to do that, just to prove to myself that I can be great.”
The Raiders expect Bryant’s best. They’ll set up a network to help him stay out of trouble and focused on rebounding after a relatively lackluster 2017 season where he was targeted less and upset with his role in Pittsburgh.
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Gruden has big plans for this speed demon, and believes he’ll fit well into a passing game that includes some established receivers.
“He’s been through a lot in his life and he’s got something to prove and I think we’re catching him at the right time,” Gruden said. “(Steelers head coach )Mike Tomlin is a friend of mine. I coached with Mike and I have a lot of confidence in this young man.
“I think a change of scenery can unleash his greatness and [putting] him in the line up with Jordy Nelson and Amari Cooper and Jared Cook and Derek Carr excites me a lot.”
This might be a short marriage, considering Bryant’s entering a contract year. That was the Bryant trade’s main critique, that there’s only one year’s control as opposed to a four-year contract given to a rookie.
The Raiders were comfortable with that scenario, hoping Bryant’s motivated by the prospects of earning a longer-term deal.
“Just by handling my business as a man. It’s not my first rodeo,” Bryant said. “I’ve had my difficulties in my past, but I’ve come a long way from that. It’s all about keeping the right resources around me and continuing to stay on the right path. I’m going to make sure I get that done.”
There’s no doubt Bryant’s a football fit. His speed and downfield play-making ability adds a new dimension to the Raiders offense that should pair well with existing receivers. Bryant, in particular, especially when working with the entire group, could stress opposing defenses.
“It puts a lot of pressure on them,” Gruden said. “I think it’ll help our running game, honestly. We have Marshawn Lynch. I’m sure he’s sitting at home happy with this acquisition. I think our running game will improve. You want to bring the safety down in the box and play an eight-man front, we have a quarterback that can recognize that and create some matchups on the outside that are one-on-one. This man has made a living going down the field, getting the football. It’s a great day for us. We have a lot to prove and we’re anxious to prove it.”