Fantasy Football Player Notes

Javonte Williams has made a miraculous return from his multi-knee ligament tear from the 2022 season. His speedy recovery allowed him to play in the preseason, with favorable usage as both a rusher and receiver. On the first drive, he had 3 targets and one carry over the 1st four plays. Then Perine entered the game. Over the first 23 plays, it was a 50/50 split essentially with Williams (56%, 8 RB opportunities) and Perine (47%, 3 RB opportunities). Perine played more receiving downs...but Williams was still peppered with targets like last year's pre-injury. However, I would hardly say that Juggernaut Javonte is 100% back to fantasy stardom with him still splitting work with Perine and potentially undrafted free agent, Jaleel McLaughlin. The Raiders' run defense is no world-beater - 24th in PFF's defensive line rankings - so I understand the appeal of starting Williams, but he's probably more of a floor play than ceiling option with it being his first real game back from the injury. A 20-touch guaranteed workload is likely too aggressive to project.

Perine was viewed during draft season as a stopgap for fantasy teams that went with a zero-RB approach. But a crazy return by Williams has forced Perine back into the RB3 ranks with only a receiving role seemingly in his possession outside the occasionally early down rush attempt. I'd keep him on the bench, with his stand-alone role likely not enough to warrant FLEX/RB3 consideration.