Getting to know Raiders undrafted free agents: Meet Matt Bushman

We’ve heard a lot about Las Vegas Raiders’ undrafted rookie wide receiver Dillon Stoner this spring, but there might another skill position to keep an eye on.

The Raiders may have gotten a steal in BYU tight end Matt Bushman if he can completely heal from a torn Achilles that he suffered prior to the 2020 college season. All indications show that Bushman is coming along well.

If Bushman wasn’t injured, he probably would have been a mid-round draft pick. Considering that BYU quarterback Zack Wilson was the No. 2 overall draft pick by the New York Jets after a big 2020 season, Bushman probably would have put up big numbers last year.

Bushman had 125 catches combined in his first three seasons with the Cougars for 1,719 yards for a 13.75 per catch average.

Bushman is already 25 because he started his college playing career at the age of 21 after serving a Mormon mission. So his advanced age and the fact that he was is coming off a major injury probably were factors why he wasn’t drafted.

But he is certainly worth a risk for the Raiders, especially as they feel good about their tight ends behind superstar starter Darren Waller. They can stash Bushman on the practice squad for a while. Again, it may time some time, but Bushman is definitely a player worth keeping tabs on in Las Vegas’ system.