2009 Oakland Raiders Fantasy Football Preview
Ahhh my Oakland Raiders. I have been a lifelong Raiders fan and it pains me to see what my beloved team has become. The Raiders went 5-11 in 2008 leaving Raider Nation with another year of heartbreak. I have written (and will continue to write) several articles on the Raiders’ prospects as a team heading into 2009. However, for the sake of this article, I will examine the Raiders from a fantasy perspective only. With that in mind, let’s look at Silver and Black’s fantasy potential for 2009.
It’s no secret that I’m not convinced JaMarcus Russell is an NFL quarterback and appreciate him even less as a fantasy quarterback. To be blunt, Russell has shown me and other Raider Nation members very little in his 3 years in the league. Obviously he’s got the cannon arm, but it takes a lot more than that to be a successful NFL QB, just ask Jeff George. Also, Russell hasn’t displayed much of a work ethic since the Raiders invested virtually their entire franchise with him three years ago. I honestly wanted and still wish the Raiders had drafted Brady Quinn instead of Russell, as I think Quinn has all the tools to be a good QB in this league for a long time if the Browns ever give him the chance. I just don’t see that outside of Russell and apparently the Raiders are also getting worried or they wouldn’t have signed free agent QB Jeff Garcia to “back up” Russell. I have news for you. If Russell starts slowly, which is a real possibility given the Raiders have an absolutely brutal schedule this year, Garcia will be there. Until Russell shows some fire under his ass, don’t go near him on draft day this August, even as the No. 2 QB.
As low as I am on Russell I am as high on the Raiders running game and in my opinion if the Raiders hit the ball all year using the 3 headed monster that they currently have on the roster I really think this team can go 8-8. First, Darren McFadden WILL WIN this year with a total of 1100-1300 yards and 12 total TDs. He counts on it. Why am I so sure about that? A couple of different reasons. First, Dmac is too good. His rookie campaign was derailed in large part by a stubborn toe injury that hampered him for virtually the entire year. Make no mistake about it. In terms of raw talent, McFadden is better than Chris Johnson, Matt Forte and Steve Slaton. Additionally, Dmac has been proactive regarding the aforementioned toe injury by having the Raiders coach place a steel plate in his shoe to help prevent such an injury from reoccurring. Ultimately, the Raiders hired strike specialist Lorenzo Neal specifically to block McFadden and help throw his run. McFadden is the real deal. Pick him between rounds 3 and 5 as RB #2 and watch him explode.
In addition to McFadden, the Raiders also sport two other good running backs in Justin Fargas and Michael Bush. If I’m a betting man, I’m thinking Fargas is going to be the odd man out this year. If McFadden gets hot early on, which I think he will, Fargas won’t see much of the field. Bush, however, will still have a role. The nation saw exactly what Bush is capable of as a running back in the Week 17 finale against the Buccaneers when he rushed for 177 yards and 2 TDs in a game Tampa needed to win to make the playoffs and ultimately cost the coach. Tampa boss and former Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden his job. If it hadn’t been for the broken leg he suffered in Louisville, Bush certainly would have been a top-10 pick and the Raiders stole him outright in the fourth round a few years ago. Bush is sure to continue to see work this year as a goal line/short yard rusher and don’t be afraid to try it with a pick in the 12th rounds and beyond. As for Fargas, I personally wouldn’t waste an election on him because, unless McFadden gets hurt this year, I don’t see him putting up any kind of statistically worthwhile numbers.
Unlike the Raiders’ running game, the team’s receiving corps is clouded with controversy and question marks. Al Davis surprised me and the rest of the world when he selected WR Darrius Heyward-Bey over Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin. It’s obvious to me and everyone else that really the only variable that matters to Mr. Davis when he evaluates players is the 40-yard dash time. I will not go into Davis here as it is not the proper format as this is a Raiders related article from a fantasy perspective only. Does Heyward-Bey have any fantasy potential for 2009? Yes. Would he cheat on him? Yes, but not before round 13-14 and if someone like Maclin or Percy Harvin is still on the board, I’d take anyone before Heyward-Bey. However, from a fantasy standpoint, Heyward-Bey has a few things that work for him. First of all, he’s already the No. 1 receiver on the team and Mr. Davis has made his intentions of trying to get the ball deep to the speedster from the start perfectly clear. If you’re in a league like mine that rewards you with bonus points for long TD runs and receptions, then it’s worth trying to do a late-round shuttlecock on Heyward-Bey because the law of averages says he’ll catch at least a few bombs. of Russell this year. Another receiver who could see an increase in production from him if Russell develops the way the franchise needs him is Johnny Lee Higgins. Higgins represents a good talent both at the WR position and in the return of kicks/punts. Similar to Heyward-Bey, try Higgins late and if Russell can finally get his head out of his butt, you may see some dividends from him as the year goes on. Chad Shillings and Florida rookie Louis Murphy are 2 other Raiders receivers to watch this fall.
TE Zach Miller could be the biggest beneficiary if Russell advances. Miller started to really make a name for himself last year by catching 56 passes for 778 yards and 1 TD. Both receptions and yards led Raiders receivers by a mile and while the 1 TD is disappointing, Miller will surely improve on that in 2009. Miller along with Chicago’s Greg Olson are my 2 dark TE candidates for next season . Olson has the better quarterback, but Russell and Miller seemed to form good chemistry last year, and if that continues, Miller has the talent to be an elite NFL TE.
The Raiders’ daylight saving time is to be avoided at all costs until the unit proves otherwise. Last year the team was ranked 31st against the race and they were beaten to the ground all year. The IL was a complete mess and LB Tommy Kelley, who normally anchors the unit, had a bad year. The secondary is led by one of the best coverage cornerbacks in the game, if not the best, in Nnamdi Asomugha, who just signed a contract extension this offseason. Asomugha is the modern Lester Hayes and is truly one of the best CBs in the NFL. The bottom line, though, is that it goes without saying that there are much better options at the DST position than the Raiders and they should not be considered under any circumstances under any format. In leagues where kickers are rewarded with bonus points for 50+ FG yards, kicker Sebastian Janikowski may be of some value since he still has the same leg he had coming out of FSU.
To wrap up my review of the Raiders, I strongly suggest we take a hard look at McFadden as the No. 2 RB for 2009. I’m telling you right now he’s going to have a great year and I like TE Miller too. As for the other Raiders, there’s really nothing to get excited about from a prospective fantasy. Next up: The Kansas City Chiefs.
