Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders D/ST exploited by Alex Smith Thursday

Fri, Oct 20th 1:09am EDT
By Steve Painter

The Oakland defense started the game missing some starters and the Chiefs QB Alex Smith did shred them for 342 yards and three TDs but still, the defensive unit played with tremendous passion and made some good plays. On the ground, the Raiders held Kareem Hunt and company to 94 yards, without a score. Newly acquired NaVorro Bowman led the team with 11 tackles, six of those solo. Khalil Mack and Denico Autry were each credited with half a sack. Bowman, Justin Ellis, and Mack each had one TFL. As a unit, they had five QB hits.

Fantasy Impact: This defense will not likely win many awards but they are fun to watch and are developing a typical Raider identity. They play with passion and when the cards are stacked against them they play even harder.

Derek Carr leads comeback victory against the Chiefs

Fri, Oct 20th 12:45am EDT
By Matthew Fox

Derek Carr led a thrilling comeback win against the Chiefs while completing 29-of-52 passes for 417 yards, including three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Carr also added 15 yards on one rushing attempt.

Fantasy Impact: What a difference a week makes. Carr bounced back from a poor performance in Week 6 to pass for a season-high 417 yards, including a game winning touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree. Carr was far from efficient against the Chiefs, completing just 56 percent of his passes but no one can complain about his fantasy numbers. Unlike weeks prior, Carr was was very aggressive in this game and consistently attempted to throw the ball downfield. Carr looked to also finally rekindle his connection with star WR Amari Cooper, who had struggled mightily up to this point. The Chiefs' secondary is not a good group outside of Marcus Peters so it may be a little premature to say Carr is back to QB1 status. However, there is no doubting his talent and this performance against the Chiefs is a positive sign of things to come. Carr will have a tough match up on the road against the Bills in Week 8.

DeAndre Washington totals 40 yards and a score Thursday night

Fri, Oct 20th 12:43am EDT
By Steve Painter

DeAndre Washington turned concern into an afterthought as he stepped up after Marshawn Lynch's ejection and had nine carries for 33 yards and a score as well as three receptions on four targets for another seven yards. The Raiders won 31-30 on the final play with no time left on the clock.

Fantasy Impact: Washington looked fantastic on his TD run, practically bowling over defenders. He and Jalen Richard need to have a bigger role if Oakland is honest in their assessment.

Jalen Richard totals 76 yards Thursday night

Fri, Oct 20th 12:27am EDT
By Steve Painter

Jalen Richard took the opportunity created by Marshawn Lynch's early exit and enjoyed a productive outing. He had nine carries for 31 yards, a 3.4 average, and had four receptions on four targets for another 45 yards, an 11.3 average. The game was won by Oakland, 31-30 over the Chiefs with no time left on the clock.

Fantasy Impact: What's apparent is that Richard and DeAndre Washington need to play more with Marshawn Lynch playing as their backup but that might be unlikely.

Marshawn Lynch ejected Thursday night

Thu, Oct 19th 9:54pm EDT
By Steve Painter

Marshawn Lynch ended his night in the second quarter, the result of a late hit by Chiefs DB Marcus Peters on Raider QB Derek Carr. Pushing and shoving ensued between players from both teams and in the process Lynch pushed a game official which led to his ejection. For the night, he had two carries for nine yards.

Fantasy Impact: Nobody can fault Lynch for defending his quarterback but fantasy owners are left holding the bag again. He has just not been able to produce consistently all season despite the preseason hype and his cost in drafts. Hopefully, he can get things turned around next week in Buffalo.

Jared Cook

Mon, Oct 16th 11:43am EDT
By Matthew Fox

Jared Cook hauled in two of three targets for 14 yards against the Chargers.

Fantasy Impact: Jared Cook's 34 targets indicate that he is the clear number three option in the Raiders' passing attack. However, the entire Raiders offense has struggled in four consecutive games. Having scored just one touchdown on the season, Cook should not be in starting lineups until the Raiders' offense shows a sign of improvement.

Seth Roberts catches three passes in loss to Chargers

Mon, Oct 16th 6:14am EDT
By John Aubin

Roberts caught all three of his targets for 35 yards as the Raiders lost to the Chargers in Week 6 action.

Fantasy Impact: Roberts is the third wide receiver on the Raiders depth chart but has only seen 19 targets all season. He is not seeing enough action to be worth rostering in fantasy leagues.

Cordarrelle Patterson scores a rushing TD in Week 6

Mon, Oct 16th 6:11am EDT
By John Aubin

Cordarrelle Patterson had three carries for 55 yards and a touchdown while catching his only target for a gain of five yards Sunday in the Raiders’ Week 6 loss to the Chargers.

Fantasy Impact: Patterson has scored both of his touchdowns this season on running plays. The 26-year-old wide receiver has been known for his big play ability but is inconsistent and its hard to know when he will make a big play. He is only worth owning in deep fantasy leagues.

Michael Crabtree scores a TD in loss to Chargers

Mon, Oct 16th 6:05am EDT
By John Aubin

Michael Crabtree caught six passes for 52 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets during Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Chargers.

Fantasy Impact: Crabtree has become the main target for Derek Carr surpassing Amari Cooper who has been struggling. Crabtree has been especially good in the red zone. His ability to score touchdowns makes him a must-start in all leagues. Crabtree has a tough matchup in Week 7 against the Chiefs.

Amari Cooper catches five passes in loss to Chargers

Mon, Oct 16th 6:02am EDT
By John Aubin

Amari Cooper caught five passes for 28 yards on six targets during Sunday's loss to the Chargers.

Fantasy Impact: The stats don't look great but this was actually the second best game stat wise that Cooper has had this season. The third-year wide receiver has struggled this year and has not played up to his abilities. Fantasy owners should hold onto the talented Cooper but keep him benched until he can come around.

EJ Manuel underwhelms in Week 5 loss to the Ravens

Mon, Oct 9th 4:44pm EDT
By Jason Silfies

EJ Manuel underwhelmed in the Raiders' Week 5 loss to the Ravens. He went 13-of-26 for 159 yards with one touchdown. He added two rushing attempts for 15 yards.

Fantasy Impact: It sounds like Derek Carr should be back next week, so Manuel's brief cameo as the Raiders' quarterback should be over. Even if Carr misses another game, Manuel isn't a fantasy option outside of two-QB leagues.

Giorgio Tavecchio still perfect in loss

Mon, Oct 2nd 2:57pm EDT
By Ben Siebert

Giorgio Tavecchio made his only field goal attempt from 38 yards, and also made his only extra point attempt.

Fantasy Impact: The Raiders offense has stalled with both quarterbacks as Tavecchio has only been able to kick one field goal in the last three games. If this offense continues to stall, it might be time to find a new kicker.

Johnny Holton catches touchdown pass in loss to Broncos

Mon, Oct 2nd 4:31am EDT
By John Aubin

Johnny Holton caught his only target for a 64-yard touchdown Sunday in the Raiders’ Week 4 loss to the Broncos.

Fantasy Impact: Holton made the most of his first and only target of the season. The 26-year-old wide receiver was fortunate to be wide open on his catch. Holton is an afterthought in the Raiders offense and is not worth owning in any leagues.

Sebastian Janikowski placed on IR

Sun, Sep 10th 5:40am EDT
By Anthony Cervino

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting the Oakland Raiders have placed kicker Sebastian Janikowski (back) on the injured reserve list. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Although Janikowski was placed on IR Saturday, he won't need surgery to repair the herniated disc in his back. The Raiders expect Janikowski to be cleared and eligible to return to the team in eight weeks. In a corresponding move, Oakland activated Giorgio Tavecchio from the practice squad. Tavecchio will kick for the Raiders in Week 1.

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed free agent quarterback Matt McGloin on Monday. (Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: McGloin, who spent the previous four seasons in Oakland, signed with the Eagles Monday. He'll likely enter the 2017 season third on Philadelphia's quarterback depth chart behind starter Carson Wentz and presumed primary backup Nick Foles.

Andre Holmes signs with Bills

Sat, Mar 18th 7:48pm EDT
By Anthony Cervino

The Buffalo Bills and free agent wide receiver Andre Holmes agreed to terms on a three-year deal worth $6.5 million. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Holmes, who spent the last four years in Oakland, signed with the Bills Saturday. Buried on the Raiders' wide receiver depth chart, Holmes caught 14 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns last season while appearing in all 16 games. Since Buffalo's wideouts are all career role players outside of Sammy Watkins, Holmes has an outstanding chance to enter 2017 as one of the Bills' top three receivers.

Latavius Murray signs with the Minnesota Vikings

Thu, Mar 16th 7:22am EDT
By Israel Katz

The Minnesota Vikings and former Oakland Raiders RB Latavius Murray have agreed to a deal. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: The workhorse finished last season with 768 yards and 12 touchdowns on 195 attempts while catching 38 balls for 264 yards. Murray signing with the Vikings likely means that Adrian Petersons days in Minnesota are over. In regards to fantasy Murray should have similar value considering he should be more of a focal point in the offense rather than participating in a RBBC approach. Do not expect another 12 TD season but overall Murray can be considered a solid RB2 to begin the season.

Malcolm Smith expected to sign with 49ers once free agency begins

Wed, Mar 8th 9:20pm EST
By Israel Katz

Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith is expected to sign with the San Francisco 49ers when free agency begins. (Source: Mike Garagolo on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Malcolm Smith had a nice season in Oakland last year recording 103 tackles, one interception, and two forced fumbles. Smith should earn a starting nod in what seems to be a pretty decent 49ers team being put together. Smith would be a nice value add in any late IDP draft.

Aldon Smith involved in weekend incident

Tue, Feb 14th 8:51am EST
By Anthony Cervino

ESPN's Paul Gutierrez reports Oakland Raiders pass rusher Aldon Smith was allegedly involved in an incident over this past weekend in San Francisco. Gutierrez states that Smith was "mentioned" in a police report taken by the SFPD. However, the "exact details of the report were not made public" as of yet. "He is cooperating with SFPD and the reporting party," Officer Grace Gatpandan said via ESPN. "The report was taken over the weekend, and he was mentioned in the report." (Source: ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: Smith is serving a one-year suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. After filing for his reinstatement in the fall, Smith will be eligible to be reinstated in March as long as he remains out of trouble. However, this past weekend's incident could deter his reinstatement if he was involved in any wrongdoing. If the league grants him his reinstatement, Smith will join a Raiders defense that already employs a pair of prominent pass rushers that include the 2016-2017 Defensive Player of the Year, Khalil Mack, and Bruce Irvin.

Connor Cook struggles in playoff loss

Sun, Jan 8th 7:48am EST
By Blaine Blontz

Connor Cook completed 18 of his 45 pass attempts with one touchdown and three interceptions in Saturday's playoff loss to the Texans. He finished with a QB rating of 30.

Fantasy Impact: This was about what could be expected from a rookie, third-string QB making his first start against one of the best defenses in the league. Cook hamstrung the team's two top WRs, Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, who combined for only four catches and less than 50 yards receiving.