With the NFL preseason officially kicking off, we approach that time of year when most fantasy football leagues start their draft process. Of course, fans of the Las Vegas Raiders will want to sprinkle some Silver and Black into their lineups. We’ve got you covered, Raider Nation.
This guide will help you draft your favorite players from Sin City, while leaving you in a position to dominate your fantasy league.
The Raider Ramble’s Fantasy Football X Las Vegas Raiders Guide
Quarterbacks: New man, same outcome
Las Vegas still does not have a viable fantasy football quarterback. The swap from Derek Carr to Jimmy Garoppolo makes little difference as far as fantasy teams are concerned.
Like Carr, Garoppolo is a low-end QB2 at best. If you are desperate for a backup, or play in a two-quarterback league, you can take a late-round flier on him; but that is about it. I have him as the 23rd-ranked fantasy quarterback right now.
Running Back: Will Josh Jacobs Repeat As A Fantasy Football Star In 2023?
This section should be a slam dunk.
Jacobs had a dominant fantasy season in 2022 by leading the league in rushing yards. The Alabama alum is now heading into his second year in Josh McDaniels’ offense at only 25 years old. He sits as the No. 1 running back and No. 5 overall player per Around The Block.
However, this contract standoff with the Raiders complicates things. We don’t know if Jacobs will ever don the Silver and Black again.
Nevertheless, Jacobs is still worth a first-round pick in fantasy football drafts.
The best option for him is [probably] to suit up and ball out. As long as he plays, the 2022 All-Pro will post elite statistics. But, if you are truly that nervous, yet still want a running back in the first round, grab Christian McCaffrey or Austin Ekeler instead.
As far as the other running backs go in Vegas, there is not much value there. Even if Jacobs does not play, he is unlikely to be replaced by just one guy.
Josh McDaniels, in all likelihood, would instead go back to using a committee as he did in New England. Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah would likely headline such a committee; however, neither of them will produce enough to be worth consideration.
Wide Receiver: Raiders Are Stacked In Real Life — And Fantasy
We will start with the obvious player, Davante Adams.
For me, Adams is both my third-ranked wide receiver and third-ranked player overall. The back-to-back-to-back (x3) first-team All-Pro has fantastic value at this stage of the offseason. If you can grab him in the first round — do it. Adams is one of just three truly elite fantasy football wide receivers. After the Raiders wideout, the next ten or so names are practically interchangeable.
Now we move on to the rest of the group. There are two other draftable players at receiver in Las Vegas: Hunter Renfrow and Jakobi Meyers. Chances are these two will compete for targets throughout the season as Garoppolo eases in. Both are likely to have similar numbers and similar roles.
I have Renfrow as my WR39 and No. 98 player overall. Meyers is not far off and is still a top-50 fantasy wideout. Both are viable WR4s that can be contributing flex plays on any given week.
The thing that gives Renfrow the edge over Meyers is his ceiling. If Renfrow can get anywhere close to what he did in 2021, he could be the steal of the year. Look for Renfrow in the ninth or tenth-round. Meyers probably doesn’t need to be drafted right now but keep an eye on him as a possible free agent pickup.
Tight End: Is Michael Mayer Ready?
The Raiders used to have an elite TE1 with Darren Waller, and a solid TE2 in Foster Moreau. Now, they are both gone.
This offseason, the new regime has been busy finding replacements. Free agent acquisition Austin Hooper and rookie second-round pick Michael Mayer present the most promising additions to the unit, as they both will likely see ample field time in 2023.
Hooper will probably be the guy atop the depth chart; at least during the season’s start. That said, he will be lucky to be a top-five option in the Raiders passing offense. As the year rolls on, the journeyman tight end will likely cede more and more playing time to Mayer. He is a valuable piece in real life, but not worth drafting in fantasy football.
As far as Mayer goes, there is plenty to be excited about. He is extremely talented and should become a very productive tight end in the NFL. Even still, he is probably not worth taking in redraft leagues.
It usually takes a while for rookie tight ends to hit their stride, and the presence of Hooper does not help Mayer’s case. If you are in a dynasty league, Mayer is a great pick that should pay massive dividends in the near future.
Raiders Defense/Special Teams
No. Absolutely not. Do not even consider drafting this defense.
As is, the elite fantasy football defenses should not be a target until the last two rounds. The Raiders are far from that. The only time to consider picking this group up is when it plays the Colts in Week 17.
Kicker
When it comes to fantasy football kickers, Daniel Carlson is him. He’s been the top kicker in all of fantasy the last two years, and I have him at the top of my rankings again this year.
Sadly, the only way you can get Carlson is by reaching for him. And given his position, it is simply not worth it. Even the best kicker shouldn’t be on your radar until the final rounds of your fantasy football draft.
*Top Photo: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
