Analyzing The Fantasy Football Potential Of The Oakland Raiders

Despite it being just May, fantasy football fans are already beginning their research into next season. As they do so, the Oakland Raiders may be more appealing following their offseason acquisitions. The Raiders weren't much of a fantasy football breathing ground in 2018. Outside of Jared Cook, who finished fifth, no player finished higher than 18th at their respective position in NFL.com scoring. For that reason, fans might not think of the Raiders when it comes to Fantasy Football. However, the 2019 Raiders look nothing like the 2018 Raiders and could provide owners with multiple different weapons this season. The team added Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams through the air and rookie Josh Jacobs on the ground. All three should be strong contributors in 2019. Furthermore, the team added Trent Brown to their offensive line, strengthening a position that'll help all assets of the offense. When mock drafts start coming around, some fans might be shocked to see so many Raiders ranked so highly. However, fans should note Oakland's offensive improvement and shouldn't be shocked to see more than one Raider on their team in 2019.

Quarterback

Derek Carr had an up and down 2018. He set new records in completion percentage (68.9) and passing yards (4,049). However, he threw just 19 touchdown passes, a career low. He finished 18th in NFL.com scoring with 216.76 points. He had just three games over 20 points and one over 30. In standard 12-man leagues that makes him only a spot starter against weaker defenses. That being said, the Raiders did a solid job of adding pieces around him. Both Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams will man the outside while rookie Hunter Renfrow will likely man the inside. Brown and Williams caught for 1,297 and 653 yards respectively. Renfrow caught for 544 yards himself as a senior at Clemson. Just those three receivers have over half of what Carr threw for in 2018. While they're all coming from different offenses and gelling might be an issue, it's inarguable that Carr's receiving core has vastly improved. The run game should see a boost as well. The team finished just 25th in rushing yards last season with an average of 4.2 yards per carry. While there will be some of the same with Doug Martin/Jalen Richard, the addition of Josh Jacobs should provide a spark. If he is everything draft analysts labeled him as, he should give Carr another option and another way to spread the defense. Oakland's offensive line should be improved as well with the introduction of Trent Brown at right tackle. While left guard is still a question mark, Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson are two of the better interior lineman in the league. If Kolton Miller improves, the Raiders' line could be one of the more underrated in the league. Carr has all the tools necessary to succeed. The only question is if he can capitalize. There have been rumors of the Raiders taking a quarterback in next year's draft. If Carr fails with this unit, there is a high likelihood of that occurring. Bottom Line: Outside of the deepest leagues Carr still shouldn't be drafted. That being said, there's a chance for a huge bounce back this year, making him a strong waiver wire priority in games against weak competition and perhaps beyond.

Running Back

As mentioned previously, the Raiders finished 25th in the NFL in rushing last season. This was with Marshawn Lynch in tow. Clearly Gruden and Mayock felt they needed to improve that aspect of their offense. They did just that by adding former Alabama stud Josh Jacobs in the first round of the NFL draft. During his time at Alabama, Jacobs rushed 251 times for 1,491 yards and 16 touchdowns. His senior season saw him eclipse 600 yards and score 11 touchdowns. Jacobs has been likened to Patriots' running back Sony Michel by NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.  He went on to say:

Prototypical combination of size and skill-set as an every-down runner with the ability to slash or impose his will on any given snap. Jacobs runs with good bend, vision and burst, and he proved to be an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield or from the slot. Jacobs is a decisive runner with outstanding one-cut talent to become a bellcow lead back.

Overall, it appears that Jacobs has all the talent to not earn the starting role, but to thrive while in it. Even ESPN's Mel Kiper has predicted that Jacobs would be an instant impact starter. Jacobs is clearly the back to own in the Raiders' backfield and should provide owners will solid value. However, it's important to note both Doug Martin and Jalen Richard are still lurking. Martin should act more as a mentor, but could take some goal line carries away. Richard will be strictly a third-down back, but will limit Jacobs' potential. Overall, Jacobs has bellcow potential, but likely won't be a bellcow out of the gate. He will however have a strong offensive line in front of him. Despite losing Kelechi Osemele, the Raiders did add Trent Brown. Left guard may still be a question mark, but overall the Raiders line should be strong enough for Jacobs to shine. The Raiders didn't draft Jacobs in the first round to have him sit on the bench. He should be given every opportunity to shine in his first year with the Raiders. Bottom Line: Jacobs should be a solid target anywhere from the third to fifth round. Owners shouldn't expect Saquon Barkley, but Jacobs should be the team's leading rusher by the end of the season, making him a solid add in all formats.

Wide Receiver

Perhaps the most intriguing offensive position for the Raiders this season will be wide receiver. The team added Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams via free agency and Hunter Renfrow through the draft. Those three should make up the team's starting receiving core barring an injury. Brown has been a beacon of fantasy success during his time in the NFL. Last season he finished fifth in NFL.com scoring with 323.70 points. He has made the Pro Bowl the past six seasons with at least 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns. That shouldn't change in Oakland and his numbers could improve if the Raiders find themselves in garbage time. Brown remains an excellent WR1 and arguably the best receiver in the league. Williams is another solid add for the real-life Raiders and should be a decent WR2/Flex guy in Fantasy Football. Last year he caught 41 passes for 653 yards and five scores. He finished 47th in NFL scoring with 137.80 points. Williams doesn't have the same name brand as Brown, but could see more receptions if Brown is blanketed by opposing team's CB1. While he may be more of a sleeper now, Williams could end up being a solid middle-round add. Renfrow is the unknown in the Raiders' receiving corp. Last year at Clemson he caught 49 passes for 544 yards and a score. He is a bit undersized, however the Raiders' brass clearly liked him, selecting Renfrow in the fifth round. He's more of a wait-and-see prospect but could end up being a sneaky sleeper in the later rounds. The Raiders' receiving core is vastly improved from last season. Adding Brown and Williams should give the team a major boost. When it comes to Fantasy Football, wide receiver could be the most valuable among the Raiders' skill positions. Bottom Line: Brown remains an excellent selection anywhere in the middle-to-late first round or early second. Williams should be a solid starter and could go anywhere from the sixth to eighth. Renfrow is more of a hold but could go later in Dynasty leagues. Overall, the Raiders' receiving core is a major buy compared to last season.

Tight End

Tight end might be the weakest offensive skill position in terms of fantasy football. Currently Darren Waller and Foster Moreau should handle most of the snaps at the position. Waller stands 6'6" and ran a 4.4 40, making him a definite size/speed talent. However, he has caught just 18 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns in his career. The size and speed haven't translated to NFL success. Moreau was the Raiders fourth round pick in the NFL Draft. Shortly after, he was named as a potential "surprise star". But for Moreau, his blocking game is much more profound than his receiving game. During his time at LSU he caught 52 passes for 629 yards and six touchdowns. He never exceeded more than 24 catches and three touchdowns. Moreau also never broke 300 yards during his four years as a Tiger. Both Moreau and Waller have potential down the line, but for now, are too raw of prospects to be considered valuable. Bottom Line: Despite the Raiders favoring the run last season, that was because of Jared Cook and a lack of other receiving options. The team improved their receiving room meaning TE shouldn't be as much of a focus. Waller and Moreau could be left on the waiver wire.

Defense/ Special Teams

The Raiders made a lot of adjustments to their defense this season. They added Clelin Ferrell to their defensive line, Brandon Marshall & Vontaze Burfict to their linebacking core and Lamarcus Joyner to their secondary. The two key things for Oakland in 2019 is turning their new additions into sacks and turnovers. Last year the team finished last in the NFL with just 13 sacks. Adding Ferrell will certainly help, but overall Oakland's pass rush remains one of the weakest in the NFL. In terms of Fantasy Football, getting the the quarterback is key. If the Raiders can't do that their scoring potential is limited. The Raiders also struggled when it comes to forcing fumbles. They finished last in the NFL with five. Every owner knows that forcing turnovers is key. The team must improve in this key aspect if they want to see ownership in 2019. The team surprisingly did a nice job when it came to interceptions in 2018, finishing 14th with 14. If Gareon Conley continues to improve, he and Joyner have the makings of a solid secondary core. While the Raiders may have improved their D heading into the season, they still are one of the worst in the league until proven otherwise. If they come out guns blazing, perhaps they surprise everyone. But for now, the Raiders defensive seems to be behind the offense at least in Fantasy Football. Bottom Line: Raiders D/ST could be left on the waiver wire. Playing the Chiefs and Chargers twice a year doesn't help. Until their turnovers and sacks increase, Oakland's defense should remain unowned.