Jaguars tight end Mychal Rivera hopes new team equals bigger role

Well before the Jaguars started their current high-spending ways in free agency, they had several second-wave signings that made an impact.

In 2013, defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks signed in early April and was one of their best players for two years.

In 2015, center Stefen Wisniewski signed in mid-April and he played every snap in his only year.

And last year, left tackle Kelvin Beachum signed a week after the market opened, and he started 15 games in his only year with the Jaguars.

Tight end Mychal Rivera wants to join that list … and not the part where he stays only one season.

Rivera signed with the Jaguars on March 22, nearly two weeks after the Jaguars’ major work was completed in free agency. But like the aforementioned trio, he is expected to get a chance to contribute. The Jaguars need to replace Julius Thomas’ 76 catches over the last two years.

“[Rivera] is a player that makes the plays he should make,” coach Doug Marrone said after the Jaguars wrapped up organized team activity workouts Monday.

When the Jaguars return to the field Tuesday for minicamp, Rivera – having already switched from No. 80 to his college No. 81 – will continue to see starter-level snaps in team drills.

If the Jaguars view Marcedes Lewis more as a blocker than receiver, they likely see Rivera more as a receiver than a blocker, creating an ideal combination.

Rivera said how he will be deployed around the field is “still developing.”

“But as of right now, I’ve played all kinds of positions,’ he said. “I’ve played out wide, three-point stance, slot receiver, fullback. They’ve used me everywhere. That’s the ability I have – to go all over the field and create mismatches.”

Rivera entered the radar of Marrone and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett before the 2013 draft. Then the Buffalo Bills coach, Marrone and others traveled to Knoxville, Tenn., to work out Tennessee’s skill players, including Rivera.

Rivera was a sixth-round draft pick by Oakland and had seasons of 38, 58, 32 and 18 catches totaling 1,413 yards and 10 touchdowns (only two the last two years). His role decreased when Clive Warford was drafted, and Rivera became expendable when the Raiders signed Jared Cook.

“Stat-wise in Oakland … I can’t throw myself the ball,” Rivera said.

Key for the Jaguars in their interest of Rivera: He has missed only three games (all last year) in four seasons.

“He’s durable,” Marrone said. “I’m big on coach-ability and availability. If you have those two things, you have a chance to win. If you don’t have those things, you’re hurting yourself. He’s been a guy that’s been available.”

Helping Rivera is he is learning his third NFL offense – which quickens the transition – and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s playbook has numerous similarities to Greg Olson’s scheme. Rivera played for Olson in Oakland for two years (2013-14).

“It’s helped a lot,” Rivera said. “The terminology and all that, it’s pretty similar. But you still have to hunker down in the playbook at night and get it going and spend a lot of time on it.”

What Rivera believes will also help him is being a part of Oakland’s turnaround last year. He knows a team can quickly go from outcast to outstanding.

“That’s why I came here,” Rivera said. “I definitely know we have a chance to win. That’s what our mindset is. We talk about it every day [but] it’s not just talking about it, we have to go out and do it. And we understand that.”