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Fantasy – 32 Teams in 32 Days: The Oakland Raiders

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders runs onto the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders runs onto the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Fantasy Football – 32 Teams in 32 Days: The Oakland Raiders

They’re not in Vegas yet. Still, the Oakland Raiders made a big bet this off-season that Jon Gruden returning will catapult them back into relevance in the AFC.

Gruden has made it clear that he’s giving a facelift to a passing game that disappointed in 2017.

Michael Crabtree and Corderrelle Patterson are gone. Replacing them are Jordy Nelson and Martavis Bryant. That sounds to me like an upgrade.

Even in the running game, Gruden has challenged Marshawn Lynch to be all-in. Now, I don’t think the Raiders will achieve their success on the ground, but it’s obvious that we’re getting a different Raiders team for the foreseeable future in Oakland.

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I Gotta Get Me One of Those!

One big benefactor of Gruden’s offense: Derek Carr. Reports are that Jordy Nelson looks like regular Jordy Nelson. That’s going to help Carr.

Amari Cooper will have less pressure on him, which should lead to better production this year. That’s going to help Carr.

Martavis Bryant provides great speed and playmaking potential. That’s going to help Carr.

I think the main guy to get from this offense, is the CAPTAIN of the offense. Derek Carr.

Buyer Beware

Any. Raiders. Running back.

Marshawn Lynch had success with offensive line coach Tom Cable from 2010-2014. But that was a younger Marshawn Lynch. He’s been challenged by Gruden to bring it this year, but I’m not sure that:

A. His heart is really in it.

B. His body is going to give much more than his heart.

Speaking of lacking heart, should Lynch fail, he’s backed up by Doug Martin, who’s always looked great yet almost never lived up to his potential. Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington are still there, but nobody stands to really make an impact.

Make no mistake. This is a passing offense.

Stay Woke

It’s hard to consider Amari Cooper a SLEEPER, but given where I see him going in mocks so far, I’d have to say he qualifies. Fantasy owners are down on Cooper, and rightly so after a disappointing 2017. But Gruden plans on making him the focal point of his offense, without having all the stress and pressure of having to do it on his own.

Expect a big bounce-back season for Cooper this year.

Tomorrow’s Preview: The Kansas City Chiefs