THE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS TEAM PREVIEW (2024)
Written By: @Gr1m_FF
2023 Season Recap
Record: 8-9
Points For: 332
Points Against: 331
Off-season Roster Recap
Key Additions: Jalen Guyton, Alexander Mattison, Christian Wilkins, Gardner Minshew, Micheal Gallup.
Key Losses: Hunter Renfrow, Jimmy Garoppolo.
Draft Recap Offense:
1.13 Brock Bowers (TE)
2.44 Jackson Powers Johnson (G/C)
3.77 Delmar Glaze (OT)
6.208 Dylan Laube (RB)
Draft Recap Defense:
4.112 Decamerion Richardson (DB)
5.148 Tommy Eichenberg (ILB)
7.223 Trey Taylor (S)
2024 Outlook:
Overview
The Raiders were very much in the middle of the pack last year, with an average performance that didn't particularly stand out. They finished with a respectable 8-9 record, but their performance was dismal in several key aspects. This year, the Raiders are shaping up to be a defensively-oriented team. Off-season moves, such as acquiring Christian Wilkins, along with draft picks and current players like Maxx Crosby, Robert Spillane, and Nate Hobbs, emphasize their focus on defense.
On the offensive side, however, there is a significant lack of activity and uncertainty. The starting quarterback is still undecided between Gardner Minshew and Aiden O'Connell, and there are questions about Zamir White at running back. The only bright spots on the offense are Devontae Adams and Jakobi Meyers, with a potential addition in Brock Bowers.
Given their tough schedule, I anticipate a very rough year for the Las Vegas Raiders. They will likely struggle to find success and may end up near the bottom of the league standings. The key to their season will be whether they can establish an offensive identity early on and effectively utilize their scheme. While their defense is strong enough to limit opponents' scoring, the big question is whether their offense can consistently put up at least 14 points. Without offensive productivity, I believe the Raiders will face significant challenges, especially in their tough division and conference.
Fantasy Impact
In the realm of fantasy football relevancy, the Raiders are not particularly interesting. This holds true for dynasty formats, regular redrafts, and most best ball and daily fantasy leagues. The Raiders are a dim spot for fantasy football, with not much to get excited about, in my opinion.
If you're in a redraft or dynasty league without Individual Defensive Players (IDP), the only players worth considering are Davante Adams, Brock Bowers, and possibly Zamir White if he proves to be a solid, capable workhorse. The limited fantasy value found in the Raiders is mainly in IDP formats.
In an IDP league, the Raiders have multiple contributors such as Trevon Moehrig, Nate Hobbs, Divine Deablo, Robert Spillane, Maxx Crosby, and Christian Wilkins. Their defense is arguably very strong, with many playmakers who can provide consistent fantasy points. So, while there may be little to no fantasy impact from the Raiders in standard league formats this year, their defense stands out.
Given their defensive scheme (a 4-3 base) and matchups against opponents like Cincinnati and Baltimore, their defense could perform well, benefiting fantasy managers with IDP Raiders players.
Schedule:
Week 1 @ LAC
Week 2 @ BAL
Week 3 vs. CAR
Week 4 vs. CLE
Week 5 @ DEN
Week 6 vs. PIT
Week 7 @ LAR
Week 8 vs. KC
Week 9 @ CIN
Week 10 BYE
Week 11 @ MIA
Week 12 vs. DEN
Week 13 @ KC
Week 14 @ TB
Week 15 vs. ATL
Week 16 vs. JAX
Week 17 @ NO
Week 18 vs. LAC
Strength of schedule: (.512)
DraftKings Projected Wins: (7-10)
#Gr1m_FF prediction: (2-15)
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