Fantasy Football 2017 Team Preview: Oakland Raiders

This is the 2017 fantasy preview of the Oakland Raiders. In this preview I will provide the Must-Own players, Sleepers, and Longshot players with upside very deep in drafts.

Must-own players are those who should be owned by someone in any league. Handcuff RBs can qualify, as they are often very important to a fantasy team over the full schedule. Sleepers are secondary players that you may find on the waiver wire at some point in the year, or may go undrafted in shallower auction-style leagues. The Longshots are players with microscopic ADP, who are being drafted at the very end of drafts, or more likely not drafted at all. 

All ADP data is courtesy of FantasyPros.com.

**I will list all kickers, but I cannot give analysis on them. Sorry :-/

MUST OWNS

Amari Cooper, WR (ADP: 22): Cooper is one of my favorite picks to break out and become truly elite. Entering his third season, Cooper has felt like a mild disappointment so far. Actually, he’s been very good for such a young receiver, he simply hasn’t been exceptional yet on the level of an Odell Beckham. That could change, even if Cooper doesn’t change all that much. Cooper is already a lock for 1,000 yards, and he saw his receptions hop up from 72 to 83. Now, it’s time for Cooper to score more touchdowns. He scored six and five touchdowns, respectively, and has seen a horrendous number of red zone targets when compared with other WRs of his caliber. If Derek Carr starts looking his way more near the endzone, this ADP will be met and exceeded.

Marshawn Lynch, RB (ADP: 27): Lynch hasn’t really seen his ADP drop as time has gone on, so maybe I’m the one who needs to wake up, but I hate this ADP! Lynch is 31 years old, did not play in 2016, and in 2015 was playing like crap before succumbing to injury. He’s a Hall of Fame running back and one I enjoyed watching and using in fantasy for years. Now, however, I don’t think he’s much more than a battering ram near the goal line. If you are comparing him to Latavius Murray last year, who rushed for 12 scores, I get why you’re doing that. I also think you are underselling Murray as a talent, and not accounting for Murray’s age advantage as well as significantly less wear and tear.

Michael Crabtree, WR (ADP: 45): Crabtree is finally getting appreciated. He has scored 17 touchdowns over the past two seasons, hauled in at least 85 passes in both, and actually topped 1,000 yards in 2016. This season, I expect Crabtree to move backward a bit though. I am not knocking him, and I believe his touchdown numbers will remain constant; I simply see Cooper making a giant leap, a la Julio Jones, at the expense of Crabtree who is in a Roddy White-esque situation. Therefore, this is a little high for my liking, but overall a fine spot to grab him.

Derek Carr, QB (ADP: 75): Carr is the ninth QB off the board, a fair spot for one of the brightest young stars at the position. Carr passed for 3,937 yards and 28 touchdowns, missing the 4,000-yard mark only because he missed the last two games of the year. If I’m projecting old man Lynch to struggle in the Bay, then the Raiders will be forced to throw the ball around the yard a little more. If he gets through a full slate, it’s no stretch to see Car getting to 4,500 yards and 35 touchdowns. If that’s the case, then he will outperform his current spot as the ninth QB off the board. And FYI, I think auto-drafting has boosted this ADP; you can get him way later.

SLEEPERS

DeAndre Washington, RB (ADP: 197): Washington appears to own the No. 2 role behind Lynch, which, if I’m right about what Lynch has left in the tank, could be a very nice role after a few weeks go by. Washington rushed for 5.4 yards per carry as a rookie, scoring twice and catching 17 passes as well. His work was limited to 87 total carries and 23 targets, and if given a bigger helping of work he could find himself as an RB2 by season’s end. I’m not predicting that, I’m simply saying it’s in the realm of possibility if Beast Mode breaks down under the weight of a full bell cow roll after playing in seven games since 2015.

Defense/Special Teams (ADP: 219): This D/ST isn’t getting much respect because they were honestly not great in 2016. They gave up a lot of points, particularly through the air. This year, however, could be different. For one, it’s loaded with pass rushing talent; Khalil Mack is one of the best pass rushers in the league, Bruce Irvin can get after it, and the secondary includes two 1st round picks, and a second-round pick. There’s also the sneaky value of Cordarrelle Patterson entering the fold as one of the most vicious return men in recent memory. Don’t be surprised if these guys put together some really high-scoring weeks.

LONGSHOTS

Jared Cook, TE (ADP: 163): Cook is perpetually interesting and disappointing. He flashed last year with a good QB at the helm with some nice weeks catching Aaron Rodgers’ passes. His best season is comprised of 51 catches, 571 yards and five touchdowns so even though he’s eight years into his NFL career we’re still dreaming on his upside. It’s unlikely he’ll be relevant, but this is a good offense so he might be stream-worthy.

Jalen Richard, RB (ADP: 210): Richard had a similar 2016 to Washington, and could find himself as the primary handcuff to Lynch. I, personally, think he is more of a fullback-ish option with some solid pass-catching ability. I see Richard and think of Marcel Reece; that is a compliment to Richard as an actual football player, but an indictment of his fantasy value.

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR (ADP: 309): Patterson’s biggest value to this team will likely be in the return game, but he has big upside as a receiver. He flashed as a rookie, putting up 459 yards and four touchdowns in 2013 while making just six starts. Cooper and Crabtree are going to mostly monopolize targets, but if Car continues to ignore Cooper near the end zone, Patterson could wind up with some WR3/FLEX upside.

KICKER

Sebastian Janikowski.