A few weeks ago a Raiders team source declared rookie Amari Cooper (#22 WR ADP) the “real deal.” He’s expected to be a savior in Oakland, immediately taking the reins as QB Derek Carr’s #1 target, and potentially becoming one of the most targets players in the NFL.
If I were drafting today, I’d buy into the hype. Oakland simply doesn’t have anywhere close to a comparable receiver. Andre Holmes (Fantasy Pros expert consensus #116 WR) is hugely underrated as a starter, but Comcast SportsNet’s Scott Bair suggested yesterday that Holmes is fighting Kenbrell Thompkins for the Raiders’ #4 wideout job. Michael Crabtree’s (#61 WR ADP) best days are behind him, in that he’ll be lucky to post top 60 WR numbers. Rod Streater (Fantasy Pros expert consensus #95 WR) is too, well, Rod Streater-ish to be a top 60 WR talent on a team with Cooper atop the depth chart. And among TEs, neither Mychal Rivera (#27 TE ADP) nor rookie Clive Walford (Fantasy Pros expert consensus #38 TE) belong on any but the deepest--and I mean deepest--fantasy teams.
So it’s Cooper-or-bust for the Raiders’ aerial attack this season. He’ll be a top 30 WR performer.
Carr (#23 QB ADP) was the 20th best fantasy QB last year. His 21/12 TD/INT ratio is impressive for a rookie. For a Raiders rookie? It’s unreal. He did a lot with very, very little. A full season with Cooper and Latavius Murray should create more TD opportunities. I like Carr as a top 20 QB, bumping his numbers to 3,400+ yards and 25+ TDs.
As for Murray (#20 RB ADP), last preseason I ranked him 48th among all RBs—better than most/all of the fantasy universe. Those of you who received my 2014 preseason draft board also know that Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden were ranked 70th and 71st among RBs, respectively. So I’ve been high on Murray since he joined the league. Once again, none of his teammates have the skills and/or durability to challenge his lead back position. Last year’s 20th best RB fantasy producer (Andre Ellington) netted 1,055 total yards and five TDs. Murray should be able to amass those totals, making him a solid RB2 with occasional upside.
If I were drafting today, I’d buy into the hype. Oakland simply doesn’t have anywhere close to a comparable receiver. Andre Holmes (Fantasy Pros expert consensus #116 WR) is hugely underrated as a starter, but Comcast SportsNet’s Scott Bair suggested yesterday that Holmes is fighting Kenbrell Thompkins for the Raiders’ #4 wideout job. Michael Crabtree’s (#61 WR ADP) best days are behind him, in that he’ll be lucky to post top 60 WR numbers. Rod Streater (Fantasy Pros expert consensus #95 WR) is too, well, Rod Streater-ish to be a top 60 WR talent on a team with Cooper atop the depth chart. And among TEs, neither Mychal Rivera (#27 TE ADP) nor rookie Clive Walford (Fantasy Pros expert consensus #38 TE) belong on any but the deepest--and I mean deepest--fantasy teams.
So it’s Cooper-or-bust for the Raiders’ aerial attack this season. He’ll be a top 30 WR performer.
Carr (#23 QB ADP) was the 20th best fantasy QB last year. His 21/12 TD/INT ratio is impressive for a rookie. For a Raiders rookie? It’s unreal. He did a lot with very, very little. A full season with Cooper and Latavius Murray should create more TD opportunities. I like Carr as a top 20 QB, bumping his numbers to 3,400+ yards and 25+ TDs.
As for Murray (#20 RB ADP), last preseason I ranked him 48th among all RBs—better than most/all of the fantasy universe. Those of you who received my 2014 preseason draft board also know that Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden were ranked 70th and 71st among RBs, respectively. So I’ve been high on Murray since he joined the league. Once again, none of his teammates have the skills and/or durability to challenge his lead back position. Last year’s 20th best RB fantasy producer (Andre Ellington) netted 1,055 total yards and five TDs. Murray should be able to amass those totals, making him a solid RB2 with occasional upside.