Fantasy Football Player Notes

Davante Adams might be getting long in the tooth, but he showed no signs of slowing down last year. He finished with at least 100 receptions, 1,300 receiving yards, and 11 receiving touchdowns for the fourth time in the last five seasons. He led all wide receivers in target share (32.6%) while ranking fifth in air-yard share (39.4%) and eighth in fantasy points per route run. Adams should be a fine WR1 in 2023 despite the persistent worries about Jimmy Garoppolo's noodle arm hindering his performance.

Josh McDaniels took another step today in making the Raiders "Patriots west" as they inked Jakobi Meyers to a three-year deal. This is a welcome addition to a Raiders' wide receiver room that was looking thin outside of Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow (Mack Hollins is a FA). The dominoes might not be done falling, though, as this could also signal a Renfrow departure. Renfrow can be cut, and the Raiders can save 1.5 million against the cap. The likeliest outcome is that Renfrow remains in Vegas this year and is cut bait next year when the team can save 8.2 million against the cap next year by kicking him to the curb. The Raiders are surrounding their new starting quarterback with underneath weapons. Meyers will rotate slot work with Renfrow. Meyers played 69.5% from the slot last year (Renfrow 86.0%), drawing a 22.0% target share (29th), a 25.8% target per route run rate (22nd), and a 27.4% air yard share as the Patriots' number one option. He was 29th in PFF receiving grade and 23rd in yards per route run (minimum 50 targets per PFF). Meyers has been the WR29 and WR35 in fantasy points per game over the last two seasons. Meyers' signing could signal the Raiders' plan to deploy more 11 personnel this season after ranking 18th in the use of three-plus wide receiver sets last year. Meyers will compete with Hunter Renfrow for second in line at the target water fountain. Meyers is a low-ceiling WR3/4 that gets a small boost in PPR formats.

The addition of Jakobi Meyers this offseason bumps Hunter Renfrow down a peg. Any hope of his magical 2021 season resurfacing this year with improved health should be put to bed. Meyers won't come off the field when the Raiders utilize multiple tight ends or running backs. Renfrow will. Last year Las Vegas was 18th in the NFL in the usage of three or more wide receiver sets. Renfrow will be regulated to a part-time role with flex appeal when a soft nickel matchup presents itself. He's not worth drafting for your redraft squads, as you'll likely drop him to waivers by Week 3.