Rivera caught seven passes on nine targets for a team-high 83 yards in Sunday's 23-13 loss to the Browns. The 24-year-old set a new career high and exceeded his output from his previous five games combined with the 83 yards, 22 of which came on a spectacular one-yarded grab just before halftime. Rivera hadn't seen more than four targets in any of his previous four games, but he seems to be gaining not only Derek Carr's trust, but offensive coordinator Greg Olson's as well.

Rivera was targeted three times but failed to catch a pass in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Chargers. Rivera is now averaging an abysmal 3.4 yards per target through five games this season, and while he figures to remain the top pass-catching option at the tight end position for Oakland, there's little-to-nothing to like from a fantasy perspective.

Rivera hauled in two of four targets for 10 yards in last Sunday's loss to the Dolphins. After seeing 13 targets in the Raiders' first two games of the season, Rivera has received just eight looks in the past two weeks. He's totaled all of 83 yards on those 21 targets this season (3.9 yards per target), but he was on the field for 63 offensive snaps Sunday, compared to just 32 for David Ausberry. Despite his lackluster production to this point, Rivera will likely continue to serve as the top receiving option at the tight end position for Oakland, and it's possible new head coach Tony Sparano could find ways to improve the offensive during the bye week.

Rivera caught five passes on seven targets for 31 yards in last Sunday's loss to the Texans. The 24-year-old also had a crucial fumble on the opening drive of the second half, with the Raiders driving into Houston territory. Although he's averaging just 7.8 yards per reception through two games, Rivera ranks third on the team in targets with 12, only behind James Jones and Denarius Moore. Rivera, who was on the field for 65 percent of the team's offensive snaps Sunday, will continue to serve as the top pass catcher at the tight end position for Oakland, but he's still well outside of the TE2 conversation in most fantasy formats.

Rivera caught three passes on five targets for 31 yards in Sunday's loss to the Jets. The 24-year-old Rivera finished third on the team in targets, only behind Denarius Moore (8) and Rod Streater (7). However, all but one of his looks came on the Raiders' final drive of the game, with the team down two scores. The second-year tight end's pass catching ability makes him worth monitoring in deeper leagues, but it would be hard to justify owning him until he shows more of a rapport with quarterback Derek Carr.

Rivera caught two passes for 26 yards on two targets in Friday's preseason game against the Lions. After dropping a pair of passes last week, Rivera turned in a batter performance in the second preseason game. He's the starter for now, but it's unclear how things will shape up once David Ausberry (knee) returns. Ausberry, who is listed atop the depth chart, may be in danger of missing the start of the regular season.

Rivera dropped a pair of passes in Friday's preseason opener against the Vikings, CSN Bay Area reports. Starting in place of David Ausberry (knee), Rivera dropped both of his targets. With the length of Ausberry's absence uncertain, Rivera may end up as the Week 1 starter. There's some chance Rivera could start even if Ausberry recovers in time, as the Raiders don't have a clear-cut top dog at tight end.

With David Ausberry slated to miss time with a knee issue, Rivera is now working with the Raiders' first-team offense, sfgate.com reports. The report indicates that Rivera, who recorded 38 catches for 407 yards and four touchdowns last season, has worked hard on his blocking, with offensive coordinator Greg Olson having noted that the second-year tight end has been one of the Raiders' most improved players in training camp. It's unclear how much much time Ausberry will miss, but for now, opportunity knocks for Rivera, with Brian Leonhardt and Nick Kasa also in the mix for added tight end reps while Ausberry is out.

Second-year TE Mychal Rivera is working behind David Ausberry at Raiders OTAs. Rivera posted a 38-407-4 receiving line as a rookie, although it was mostly because the Raiders had no one else at tight end. (Ausberry was injured.) The Raiders appear to be projecting Ausberry as a possible every-down tight end, with Rivera only being used situationally due to deficient blocking. Rivera goes 6'3/242 with 4.81 speed. We're not big on Rivera's long-term outlook.

Raiders coach Dennis Allen says he views second-year TE Mychal Rivera as a "foundation piece" on offense. Beat writer Scott Bair expects Oakland's interest in draft-eligible tight ends to be "minimal" after Rivera showed some signs of becoming a useful "move" tight end as a rookie. A 2013 sixth-round pick out of Tennessee, Rivera posted a 38-407-10.7-4 line. New Raiders QB Matt Schaub has a lengthy history of heavily targeting tight ends, though Rivera's long-range upside is capped by blocking deficiencies that will limit his snaps, and marginal 4.78 speed at 6'3/245.