Most leagues may be over, but this is for those of you that are in those frustrating leagues where you have a championship matchup in a week where a lot of fantasy stars aren’t playing. My projections for this week reflect the fact that many guys are sitting this week. Though mostly everyone on the Las Vegas Raiders will be active.
Quarterback
I still don’t like Derek Carr in fantasy. He’s just not “that guy.” There are too many better options out there. Now, if he is your backup behind someone like Joe Burrow, who is unlikely to play this week, he is a safe bet for double digits. If you are playing fantasy this week, it is likely for a championship. This means you have to decide if “safe” is good enough this week. If you feel like the rest of your roster is strong and you just need a quarterback who isn’t going to crap the bed, Carr is your guy. If you feel like you have to have 20 points or more from that position to win this week, I would look elsewhere.
What about the Raiders’ run game?
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs is back. He has looked like his old self for the past two weeks. He is a clear-cut RB1 once again. This is especially true this week, going up against a Chargers defense that has had trouble with the run. My only concern is that Jacobs got a little banged up against the Colts. However, the Raiders have been good about using the time between games to get him healthy rather than beating him up more in practice. I expect another big game from Jacobs. As far as the other guys go, there just isn’t enough upside. Let’s be real, though. You probably didn’t make it to the championship if starting Jalen Richard or Peyton Barber was a serious option.
Wide Receivers
Hunter Renfrow is “that guy.” He is a WR1 all day. At this point, his floor is in double digits. He is just so reliable. He is the type of player around whom fantasy football championships are built. As for the other guys, it is way too risky. Zay Jones is coming off of a great game, but that feels more fluky than anything. Also, Darren Waller is back, so that hurts everyone’s value.
Tight End
Like I just said, Waller is back. He is immediately back in as a TE1, and a high-end one at that. In a huge game like this one will be, expect Carr to target him a whole lot. This is one of the rare situations where you would be glad to have your fantasy championship game this week rather than last week.
Unfortunately, this does mean bad news for Foster Moreau’s fantasy stock. He was a low-end TE1 before. Now, he doesn’t need to be on a roster. However, if you are in a dynasty league, you may want to hold onto him through the offseason. The Raiders have two starting-caliber tight ends in Moreau and Waller. They could be tempted to trade one of them for the right offer. Either one being moved would increase Moreau’s future fantasy value.
Defense/Special Teams
Nope. The Chargers offense is too good, and the Raiders defense doesn’t generate enough turnovers. If you put your fantasy title hopes on the shoulders of this defense, you’re insane.
Kicker
Position for position, Carlson is the most valuable fantasy player on the Raiders roster. If you can start him, you have to do it. He is a truly elite fantasy kicker.
[pickup_prop id=”7060″]
*Top Photo: AP Photo/Ron Jenkins
