2016 Fantasy Preview: Oakland Raiders

 

2015 Fantasy Recap

The Oakland Raiders were much better then their record might suggest.  QB Derek Carr showed a lot of improvement in his second year.  Add in the explosive rookie Amari Cooper and the resurgence of Michael Crabtree, Carr had some great weapons to use.  The Raiders were also aided by a solid running game by Latavius Murray, who also had a break out year.  On the defensive side of the ball, Khalil Mack helped terrorize opposing QB’s, but he wasn’t enough to stop them alone.  However, with some great free agent pick ups, that defense could be a top 5 fantasy defense.  With Denver’s hold on the AFC West shaky, the Raiders are ready to challenge and make a deep playoff run.

Key Additions and Losses

Additions:

• Bruce Irvin

Loss

• Charles Woodson

Quarterback Fantasy Outlook

QB Derek Carr is entering his 3rd year as the franchise’s signal caller.  He threw for 3,987 yards off only 350 completions.  Add in a career high of 32 touchdowns to only 12 interceptions, Carr is on the right track.  Over the off season, Carr has worked closely with Amari Cooper to develop the relationship.  He is proving his leadership and is becoming more comfortable calling the plays when needed from the line.  With a strong run game, and a good defense, Carr has a lot of upside this season and is worthy of a late round draft pick for your team.

 

 

 

 

Grade: A-

 Running Back Fantasy Outlook

Latavius Murray was the first running back to break the 1000 yard mark since 2010.  This is something to be excited about in Oakland.  With 266 carries averaging 4 yards a carry, Murray helped relieve the pressure on Carr.  He is able to make explosive plays when he is needed to.  He only lost one fumble last year, showing great control of the ball.  Murray managed to hit the end zone 6 times last year.  If Oakland wants Carr to continue to get better, they will relay on a strong run game with Murray.  I think he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet, and expect great things to come out of him still.

 

 

Grade:  B+

Wide Receiver Fantasy Outlook

There isn’t much to not like about the receiving corp with stand out rookie Cooper and Crabtree.  Cooper put up over 1000 yards receiving, the first person to do so since Randy Moss in 2005.  Using a natural gift for getting to the ball and a great connection with Carr, he was able to make some great plays.  He was caught 72 passes for 1070, averaging 15 yards a play. Cooper found the end zone 6 times and only had one lost fumble.  Crabtree had one of his best years since 2012.  He caught the ball more then Cooper, a total of 85 times, but had less yards.  Crabtree stood at 922 yards, but had 9 touchdowns.  I see Cooper as the top wide out going in this season and taking some more of the targets to Crabtree.  Grab Cooper and leave him, and if you have to, don’t be afraid of putting in Crabtree either.

 

Grade:  A-

Tight End Fantasy Outlook

There is absolutely nothing to get excited about at the TE position in Oakland.  Clive Walford put up very pedestrian numbers, and Lee Smith was even worse.  Clive was targeted only 51 times and caught 28 of those for a total of 328 yards.  He did manage to find the end zone 3 times in the whole season.  I don’t even want to go into Smith.  I would stay far away from both of these TE’s in any format.

 

Grade:  F

 

Defensive Fantasy Outlook

With LB Malcolm Smith and LB Khalil Mack and returning and the signing of LB Bruce Irvin, this defense got alot scarier for the AFC West and the AFC in general.  Smith lead the team with 122 tackles as well as 2 forced fumbles.  Mack had 57 tackles and 15 sacks last year, and 2 forced fumbles as well.  Irvin had a solid year in Seattle, and is looking to make an immediate impact for his new team.  This defensive unit is solid and could easily be a top 5 defense this year.

 

 

 

Grade:B+

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