Fantasy Football: Oakland Raiders Season Preview

Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) prepares to pass against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 47-14. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders finished last season with a record of 3-13, and placing 4^th in the AFC West Division. Even with the odds against them to make the playoffs this season, Oakland will not be a fantasy abyss. They have Derek Carr who is a young up and coming quarterback, and they have rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper who has the potential to be a star in this league. The stars are starting to line up for Oakland, and we may see flashes of their future potential this season.

Quarterback

Derek Carr

Carr finished last season ranked 20^th among QBs in fantasy production with 279.70 while averaging 17.81 points per game. Carr had 11 games last year where he scored 10 points or more, and he had 6 games where he scored 20 points or more. Carr is going to be a good quarterback to target late in your fantasy drafts. He has a high ceiling, as a rookie last year he didn’t have that many weeks where he was a bust, and he had 6 games last year where he was competing with some of the top QBs in fantasy production. Carr is a very good streaming candidate if you can get him off waivers when he has a favorable match up.

Next: Running Backs

Running Back

Latavius Murray

Murray averaged 6.11 fantasy points a game while finishing the season ranked 50^th in fantasy production for running backs with 91.70 points. Murray broke out during week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs by rushing for 112 yards and 2 TDs on 4 carries. After that game Murray earned the starting running back role and had 3 games with 10 fantasy points or more after becoming the starter. Murray has the ceiling of being a top-5 running back with a floor of being a complete bust. He’s a big, fast running back who can hit the hole fast, and he can bust out a long gain on any given play. Murray has faced injuries during every season of his career, and it could be possible he would have to compete with Roy Helu and Trent Richardson for touches.

Roy Helu

Helu is a dark horse in this backfield. He was cemented behind Alfred Morris during his tenure at Washington, so he didn’t get the opportunity to showcase his abilities. He is very good at catching the ball out of the backfield, and he’s highly athletic. At the combine Helu ran a 4.4 40-yard dash and a 6.67 3-cone. He has decent size at 6’1 and weighing 219 pounds. Helu is going to be fantasy relevant if he gets the opportunity. I would put Helu on your watch list, or draft him in one of the last rounds of your fantasy draft.

Trent Richardson

This might be Richardson’s last stop. He has a lot to prove if he wants to carve out a career in the NFL. When it came to his field vision while running the ball last year, Richardson looked like he had the vision of Ray Charles in a haunted house. Running into his blockers frequently, and not having the ability to create something out of nothing. Last season Richardson had a weight issue as well, which slowed him down. Richardson is very good at catching the ball, and he has really quick feet with good lateral movement. My ears will perk up this off-season if I hear reports that Richardson is down 10 pounds or more, because hopefully that could be enough to rejuvenate him. The running back situation here in Oakland is stickier than what people would think. Oakland paid Richardson for a 2 year $3.85 million deal. That is a good bit of money to pay a running back to just sit the bench, which throws a wrench in things when it comes to the Oakland run game. The contract means that someone, whether it’s the coaching staff or ownership, likes Richardson and was willing to spend the money on him. I’m not advocating on buying Richardson, but I would put him on your watch list just in case.

Next: Receivers

Wide Receiver

Amari Cooper

The Raiders selected Cooper in the first round of the draft this season, and he should have a highly productive rookie season. Cooper is pro-ready, and he’s not going to need much time to develop his game. There isn’t much competition for Cooper for targets, so he’s going to be soaking the targets up all year. Cooper is going to be a value in the middle rounds, especially in PPR leagues.

Michael Crabtree

Crabtree was signed by Oakland this offseason. Crabtree is someone you might want to monitor late in your fantasy drafts because he has the potential to provide you WR2 upside in PPR leagues if he gets an opportunity.

Andre Holmes

Holmes is a 6’4 wide receiver who can stretch the field. There’s a chance he could be a factor this season in fantasy. Last season he had 6 games with 10 or more fantasy points. Holmes is a player you should add to your watch list for waiver wire pickups during the season.

Tight End

Mychal Rivera

Rivera finished the season ranked 16^th among tight ends with 136.40 fantasy points while averaging 8.52 fantasy points a game. Rivera had 5 games where he scored 10 fantasy points or more. Last year’s fantasy production proves that Rivera was a very good streaming candidate. I recommend drafting Rivera either really late in drafts, or just using him as a streaming option off the waiver wire whenever he’s facing a favorable match up.

Clive Walford

Oakland selected Walford in the 3^rd round of the NFL draft this season. Walford could be fantasy relevant if he develops quickly and gets an opportunity. Walford is a player you need to put on your watch list.

Defense/ Special Teams

Oakland ranked dead last in fantasy production for defense and special teams last season with 36 fantasy points on the year (ESPN Standard Scoring). There’s nowhere to go but up, but they are not going to be good enough to be rostered in fantasy this year. The Raiders might be a trendy stream if they are facing a 3^rd string quarterback, but other than that, they need to be out of your lineup.

Need help making roster decisions? Need help on who to pick off the waiver wire? Need an opinion on that trade offer that’s in your inbox? I’m your guy, follow me on Twitter @bmatz08, and I’ll give you the guidance you need to make the best choice for your fantasy team

Next: Green Bay Packers Season Preview

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