2021 Fantasy Preview – Las Vegas Raiders

Team Overview

The Raiders made a number of offseason moves that seem strange. Letting a number of their offensive line pieces walk out of the door, for little trade value. The team themselves seem to be in a state of flux, leaving their Oakland home to pitch up in Las Vegas. This team looks to be a long term project, with a handful of players that would be a starter on any other roster in the league.

2021 Fantasy Preview Las Vegas Raiders- Projected Depth Chart

Individual Players

Studs

  • Darren Waller: Waller is in the discussion as one of the best TEs in the league. He is used as the team’s primary receiver and has had over 110 targets in each of the past two seasons. Outside of Travis Kelce and George Kittle, Waller is the TE to own.

Role Players

  • Josh Jacobs: Every season just as a barrier is removed, another takes it’s place. This season, that barrier to success is the team bringing in Kenyan Drake and the weakening of the offensive line. However, despite that, he is still likely to get alot of the touches out of the backfield. He should be considered as a solid RB2, but has limited upside.

Keep an eye on

  • Kenyan Drake: Drake was given the opportunity to be the starter for the Cardinals, but didn’t impress enough to be brought back. Instead, the Raiders brought him in. His contract implies that he is going to be used more than just a relief back, but it will be interesting to see how much work he is going to take on. As well as the usage he gets around the goal line and in the passing game.
  • Henry Ruggs: The issue with Ruggs seems to be that the team don’t know how to use him for the best. Ruggs is dangerous with the ball in his hands, and if you give him a pass to chase downfield. However, he has been most productive operating out of the slot. If John Brown takes the wideout role, that could give room for Ruggs to play inside.
  • John Brown: Brown has developed in recent seasons to be a reliable downfield threat. Brown should become the primary deep threat on the offense here. He might be an inconsistent player week to week, but drafting him late as a depth piece could pay dividends.

Dynasty Stashes

  • Marcus Mariota: Mariota became a forgotten man after he was ousted from being the Titans starter. However, this team is changing and Mariota could well be given another opportunity to lead this team, or another. In a Superflex league, holding Mariota on your bench could end up being a masterstroke come the middle of the season.
  • Bryan Edwards: Edwards has been forgotten by alot of owners, but he could still have fantasy value. The offense is in a state of flux, and that means that there is an opportunity for someone to step up. It also doesn’t hurt if his QB compares him to Davante Adams, who he played with in college. I wouldn’t expect that level of production, but he could still make a step up.

***Note: All projections and discussions are assuming full PPR formats.***

IDP Analysis With IDPIggy

Key Additions

Yannick Ngakoue, Casey Hayward Jr., Solomon Thomas, Karl Joseph, Quinton Jefferson

Fantasy Football Starters

Johnathan Abram (DB), Yannick Ngakoue (DL)

Gus Bradley will have his hands full as he attempts to improve the defensive unit. Expectations will be high as Gruden enters year 4 in his second stint as the Raiders head coach. They made it clear they would beef up the secondary by bringing day 1 impact player DB Casey Hayward. The veteran will be expected to shut down the #1 WRs of T. Hill, K. Allen, and C. Sutton, twice… and that is just in his own division. DB Johnathan Abram will be lined up on the line and in the secondary, there is even talk of moving him to LB. When he’s healthy he’s capable of having a high point total. DL Yannick Ngakoue will be reunited with Coach Bradley and should pace the team in sacks. DL Clelin Ferrell has yet to live up to his 2019 4th overall pick, but has the start over DL Maxx Crosby who underwent off-season physical surgery and treatment. Essentially the fate of their defense, and season, will rest on how much pass rush they can generate. LB Cory Littleton had an under performing year and will need a bounce back year. Having a large defensive tackle in DL Quinton Jefferson should help ease the pressure.

2021 Fantasy Preview Las Vegas Raiders- Stat Projections

Passing

Player Name Pos Comp Att Yards TDs INTs
Derek Carr
QB
304
434
3,647
18
9

Receiving

Player Name Pos Targets Rec Yards Yds/Rec TDs
Darren Waller
TE
136
102
1,163
11.4
7
John Brown
WR
98
61
805
13.2
4
Hunter Renfrow
WR
81
57
661
11.6
2
Henry Ruggs
WR
81
51
867
17.0
4
Josh Jacobs
RB
33
26
221
8.5

Rushing

Player Name Pos Att Yards Yds/Att TDs
Josh Jacobs
RB
220
966
4.4
9
Kenyan Drake
RB
132
540
4.1
4
Derek Carr
QB
26
95
3.6
1

***Note Player Projections are only fantasy relevant players. Team totals may not add up as we left out players that may not have a significant impact on the season. Projections provided by Rich King and is based on 16 games.***

Team Projection

Record HC OC
6-11
Jon Gruden
Greg Olsen
Rush Att Rush Yards Rush TDs Passing Att Passing Yards Passing TDs Total Yards Total TDs
440
1,922
15
543
4,559
23
6,481
38
17th
22nd
19th
21st
6th
29th
10th
27th

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Image Credit: Darren Yamashita – USA TODAY Sports