Team Preview - Oakland Raiders

After a great season two years ago, the Oakland Raiders regressed more than almost every team in the league. With a solid quarterback and many tools around him, the Raiders were expected to be a championship-caliber team, but of course, they did not live up to expectations. This year, they have a revamped offense behind Derek Carr and I think they have a shot to return to 2017-2018 form under the right conditions. Don't get me wrong though, their additions could also be a recipe for disaster.

Derek Carr will need to take a step forward this year to turn the Raiders into contenders

Quarterback - Derek Carr

Derek Carr has been a good quarterback for 4 years. Not great, not bad, but good. However, in a pass heavy league, a good quarterback will rarely cut it. The Raiders are hoping that he can take the next step forward with their offensive additions and I think the talent is there for the former second round pick. Surprisingly, he is the 5th most bet on person for MVP this year, so many others are expecting a big year from him. I can see him being a top 5 QB this year. I can see him being outside the top 15 QBs this year. If you wanna take a mid round risk at QB, he's the guy for you.

Josh Jacobs looks to continue the trend of rookie running back success in the NFL

Running Back - Doug Martin, Isaiah Crowell, Josh Jacobs

I could write a few sentences about Martin and Crowell and the small impact they're going to have on fantasy this year, but let's be real - this is Josh Jacob's spot to lose. The 24th pick in this year's draft, Jacobs isn't any Saquon Barkley, but he's in a prime spot to succeed. He has very little competition for touches and I think by Week 3 or 4, the Raiders will come to their senses and give him all the touches he can handle. And everyone with experience knows that the most important thing in fantasy football is not talent or situation, but VOLUME. Jacobs was the consensus top running back in this years class and was not given a Saquon-like workload in college. While this might raise some red flags, I think he can handle 20+ touches a game and believe me, he's eventually going to get just that. Draft him as a low-end RB2 but don't be surprised if he churns out RB1 numbers. Avoid the others.

Will Antonio Brown dominate like he did on the Steelers?

Wide Receiver - Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams, JJ Nelson

Antonio Brown brought in the headlines, but I think the pickups of Tyrell Williams and JJ Nelson were a great job by the front office. This is going to be a much improved receiving corps and will give Derek Carr his best chance of success yet. Antonio Brown will slide right into the Amari Cooper No. 1 receiver role and I think he has a good year. I don't think he gets his signature 1,500 yard 10 TD year like years past, but I think he goes for low end WR1 numbers. Somebody's going to reach for him, but if he falls to mid to end round 2, don't be afraid to scoop him up. Tyrell Williams and JJ Nelson are both deep threat guys with inconsistent tendencies who bring more to the table in real life football than fantasy football. I think Williams is the better bet of the 2 and could go for high end WR3 numbers, but both are risky, later round fliers.

Tight End - Jared Cook

Where did this guy come from last year! Probably undrafted in most leagues, he went to have a super solid 68 catch, 896 yard, 6 TD year. In a down year for the position, he was a near set and forget guy. I don't know that he repeats the same stats this year with a more crowded offense, but I think he will continue to be an underrated guy at the position who will solve your tight end problems in the middle rounds. Expect mid TE1 numbers at a great price in the drafts.

For the Raiders defense to take a step forward, Clelin Ferrell will have to live up to his lofty draft expectations

Defense -

The Raiders did a great job with their offense this year by adding much needed skill position players. It's almost like they ignored the other side of the ball though outside of Clelin Ferrell. They needed a pass rusher after a pathetic year in the trenches last year, and while Ferrell is a solid pickup, he was not a 4th overall guy. They don't have any All-Stars or near All-Stars for that matter. They didn't draft anyone big on defense and despite the solid pickup in Josh Jacobs at 24, they could have used a stud defender much more. Don't draft their defense, but you probably knew that already.

Final Prediction -

If the Raiders are going to do good this year, it's going to be because of their offense. I wouldn't be surprised if all of their games are shootouts or blowouts this year, and both are good in fantasy world (except for defenses). I think there are several guys worth drafting on the Raiders, but without a miracle or a Derek Carr leap, I can't see the Raiders making a significant dent on the NFL landscape this year.