Fantasy Football Guide 2021: AFC sleepers, targets, busts, strategies
By Zach Cohen
Las Vegas Raiders Fantasy Football Guide
I accidentally skipped over the Raiders when writing this, and can you blame me? Maybe you’ll be surprised to learn they are the least attractive fantasy team to me. I’d only consider drafting Darren Waller, and even then I’d rather wait to take T.J. Hockenson. It’s that bad in Vegas.
Derek Carr was quietly QB13 last season, but he averaged the 20th-most points per game among eligible QBs. Since nothing much has changed about the Raiders offense, I expect a similar finish from Carr in terms of averages. It makes them a good value, but if you’re taking a backup that late, you should shoot for someone with top-10 potential.
Josh Jacobs’ talents are being wasted after Kenyan Drake was overpaid to seemingly be the team’s third-down back. There are more involved running backs with higher upside available in his range, like Miles Sanders, Mike Davis, Kareem Hunt and Darrell Henderson. I’m fading Jacobs and Drake, and instead, I’m targeting players in better situations in their ranges.
The wide receivers are not too inspiring, either. Last season’s WR34 Nelson Agholor left for New England, leaving a scrum of unproven youngsters. Maybe Bryan Edwards lives up to the hype, maybe Henry Ruggs is finally utilized right. But at their ADPs, I prefer receivers in better passing offenses and who, simply put, may just be better. Instead of Ruggs, try Marquez Callaway, Elijah Moore or Darnell Mooney on for size. Edwards and Brown are basically free.
Darren Waller will be a top-four tight end barring something cataclysmic. He’s a good target in the third round. I’m not super high on him because he’s not a lock for double-digit points every week and can be shut down by the right defenses. But I’d take him over George Kittle due to Kittle’s health reasons. Both aren’t bad picks, I’d just rather wait two or three rounds and take a tight end who I think can also be a top-five tight end. That’s definitely Hockenson, and that’s probably Kyle Pitts.