Las Vegas Raiders You Need on Your Fantasy Football Team (And Those You Don't)
The 2023 NFL season is coming quickly, and it's almost time to play Fantasy Football. You ready? Here are the Las Vegas Raiders players you need on your 2023 fantasy football team. Please note that these are all non-PPR options, meaning points aren't awarded for every reception.
[caption id="attachment_34932" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Sources. Facebook[/caption]
After looking at the annual ESPN.com fantasy rankings, it seems like a lot of people are sleeping on Jimmy Garoppolo. Not only is that evident by his not getting ranked in the top 25 Quarterbacks for fantasy football teams, but also due to his injuries. Despite these obstacles, Garoppolo has a lot going in his favor in 2023.
He has an embarrassment of riches at the Wide receiver position and some of the best tight ends. While he only averaged 16.7 fantasy points per week before getting injured in week 12 of 2022, he is in a much different situation with the Raiders. If things go right, Garoppolo could become one of the biggest steals in the draft. The Raiders are also dealing with the Joshua Jacobs holdout situation, making Las Vegas a pass-heavy team.
[caption id="attachment_35438" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. Facebook[/caption]
The defense might be the last thing you think about, but it can become important. In fact, if a defense has a few good weeks, it could give you the winning edge. Unfortunately for Raider fans, they are probably not going to find that with their own defense. Fantasy football owners should probably avoid them at all costs.
The Defense ranks in the middle of the pack in both run defense and passing defense. They aren't even in the top 20 on ESPN's ranking, which is a bad sign. Now, that doesn't mean this will always be the case. Just don't bet the farm on a defense that has done very little for fantasy owners over the years. Or maybe just save them for a matchup you think you can win.
Related: Everything you need to know about last week in Las Vegas sports
[caption id="attachment_35439" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]
Another position that gets overlooked is the kicker, which can be crucial. They earn points every time they make an extra point or field goal; making their points can rack up throughout a game. One guy who continues to do this is Daniel Carson of the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, a kicker can't single-handedly save your fantasy team, but having a good one is helpful. That's why you're probably going to want Carlson.
According to ESPN: "In 2022, Carlson became the first kicker to repeat as the top fantasy scorer at the position since Stephen Gostkowski in 2015. If we include his third-place finish in 2020, Carlson has scored 23 more fantasy points than any other kicker over the last three seasons. The 2018 fifth-round pick's success has stemmed from a combination of heavy volume and great accuracy."
[caption id="attachment_35440" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]
Joshua Jacobs will hopefully return to the Las Vegas Raiders at some point this season, but you'll need a backup in the meantime. A lot of people are probably going to stay away from him until his holdout situation ends.
According to Fantasyfootballcalculator" "To call the 2019 first-round integral to Las Vegas' offense would be an understatement, and the team will need to divide first-team reps between Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah, and Brandon Bolden until he returns to the practice field."
Once things become clearer, Jacobs will be a hot commodity. He is also only ranked seventh among NFL running backs by ESPN fantasy experts, meaning he could be another critical steal. Wait until he has his footing, though, and is officially back with his team. If you don't want him and happen to draft him, use him to get a player you want.
[caption id="attachment_35062" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]
Davante Adams will be one of the best players you can get in the draft. He served as the leading pass catcher in 2022 under Derek Carr and very well could do it again. Adams is already establishing chemistry with Jimmy Garoppolo in training camp, which will probably continue.
He is the fifth-best ranked wide receiver on ESPN's fantasy draft boards and will be difficult to get. He might have to be your first pick if you want to nab him. If not, prepare to pay a hefty price for his acquisition. There's no way someone is going to give up a superstar like that for nothing.
According to ESPN experts: "Adams is back for Year 2 with the Raiders after another elite performance in 2022. The ex-Packer paced all WRs in target share (32%) and air yards (2,137) en route to his third consecutive top 3 fantasy campaign. Adams hasn't finished lower than third in target share or sixth in fantasy PPG since 2017.
[caption id="attachment_35441" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]
If you can't get your hands on Davantae Adams, there are other Las Vegas Wide Receivers to choose from. These include Hunter Renfrow Jr, Jakobi Meyers, and Michael Mayer. Any one of those guys could have a breakout season with Garoppolo coming in as the new face of this offense.
Of course, there will always be the possibility of injuries for Renfrow and playing time for Mayer, but these are long-term investments. You have to take a chance with these guys and hope they pay off.
Davantae Adams might be the preferred receiver, but he isn't the only one. In fact, Joshua Jacobs has been steadily improving his catching abilities. There are just so many sleepers on that wide receiver depth chart, which is where fans will want to focus.
1. Jimmy Garoppolo is a sleeper hit of the NFL draft
[caption id="attachment_34932" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Sources. Facebook[/caption]After looking at the annual ESPN.com fantasy rankings, it seems like a lot of people are sleeping on Jimmy Garoppolo. Not only is that evident by his not getting ranked in the top 25 Quarterbacks for fantasy football teams, but also due to his injuries. Despite these obstacles, Garoppolo has a lot going in his favor in 2023.
He has an embarrassment of riches at the Wide receiver position and some of the best tight ends. While he only averaged 16.7 fantasy points per week before getting injured in week 12 of 2022, he is in a much different situation with the Raiders. If things go right, Garoppolo could become one of the biggest steals in the draft. The Raiders are also dealing with the Joshua Jacobs holdout situation, making Las Vegas a pass-heavy team.
2. Stay away from the Las Vegas Raiders' defense for now
[caption id="attachment_35438" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. Facebook[/caption]The defense might be the last thing you think about, but it can become important. In fact, if a defense has a few good weeks, it could give you the winning edge. Unfortunately for Raider fans, they are probably not going to find that with their own defense. Fantasy football owners should probably avoid them at all costs.
The Defense ranks in the middle of the pack in both run defense and passing defense. They aren't even in the top 20 on ESPN's ranking, which is a bad sign. Now, that doesn't mean this will always be the case. Just don't bet the farm on a defense that has done very little for fantasy owners over the years. Or maybe just save them for a matchup you think you can win.
Related: Everything you need to know about last week in Las Vegas sports
3. Daniel Carlson is a hell of a kicker
[caption id="attachment_35439" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Another position that gets overlooked is the kicker, which can be crucial. They earn points every time they make an extra point or field goal; making their points can rack up throughout a game. One guy who continues to do this is Daniel Carson of the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, a kicker can't single-handedly save your fantasy team, but having a good one is helpful. That's why you're probably going to want Carlson.
According to ESPN: "In 2022, Carlson became the first kicker to repeat as the top fantasy scorer at the position since Stephen Gostkowski in 2015. If we include his third-place finish in 2020, Carlson has scored 23 more fantasy points than any other kicker over the last three seasons. The 2018 fifth-round pick's success has stemmed from a combination of heavy volume and great accuracy."
4. You might want to draft another running back before Joshua Jacobs
[caption id="attachment_35440" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Joshua Jacobs will hopefully return to the Las Vegas Raiders at some point this season, but you'll need a backup in the meantime. A lot of people are probably going to stay away from him until his holdout situation ends.
According to Fantasyfootballcalculator" "To call the 2019 first-round integral to Las Vegas' offense would be an understatement, and the team will need to divide first-team reps between Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah, and Brandon Bolden until he returns to the practice field."
Once things become clearer, Jacobs will be a hot commodity. He is also only ranked seventh among NFL running backs by ESPN fantasy experts, meaning he could be another critical steal. Wait until he has his footing, though, and is officially back with his team. If you don't want him and happen to draft him, use him to get a player you want.
5. Try to get Davantae Adams if you can
[caption id="attachment_35062" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Davante Adams will be one of the best players you can get in the draft. He served as the leading pass catcher in 2022 under Derek Carr and very well could do it again. Adams is already establishing chemistry with Jimmy Garoppolo in training camp, which will probably continue.
He is the fifth-best ranked wide receiver on ESPN's fantasy draft boards and will be difficult to get. He might have to be your first pick if you want to nab him. If not, prepare to pay a hefty price for his acquisition. There's no way someone is going to give up a superstar like that for nothing.
According to ESPN experts: "Adams is back for Year 2 with the Raiders after another elite performance in 2022. The ex-Packer paced all WRs in target share (32%) and air yards (2,137) en route to his third consecutive top 3 fantasy campaign. Adams hasn't finished lower than third in target share or sixth in fantasy PPG since 2017.
6. Take a chance on the other Las Vegas Raiders wide receivers
[caption id="attachment_35441" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]If you can't get your hands on Davantae Adams, there are other Las Vegas Wide Receivers to choose from. These include Hunter Renfrow Jr, Jakobi Meyers, and Michael Mayer. Any one of those guys could have a breakout season with Garoppolo coming in as the new face of this offense.
Of course, there will always be the possibility of injuries for Renfrow and playing time for Mayer, but these are long-term investments. You have to take a chance with these guys and hope they pay off.
Davantae Adams might be the preferred receiver, but he isn't the only one. In fact, Joshua Jacobs has been steadily improving his catching abilities. There are just so many sleepers on that wide receiver depth chart, which is where fans will want to focus.