Dynasty Capsule: Oakland Raiders

As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re again going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we had close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season. 

Quarterbacks

Matt McGloin

McGloin came into 2013 settled in nicely as the third option on the depth chart behind Terrelle Pryor and Matt Flynn, but by season’s end, had asserted himself as the starter.  McGloin’s final stats (55.9% completion rate, 1,574 total yards, eight touchdowns, eight interceptions) aren’t glowing and actually are not as good as Pryor’s, but with this position in limbo, he may have done enough to stick on the roster for 2014.  The depth at the quarterback position as a whole means McGloin shouldn’t be on any dynasty rosters at this point.  If he stays in Oakland next season, it will be as a backup.  The Raiders will likely draft a “franchise” quarterback this year.

Terrelle Pryor

He was the apple of the late Al Davis’ eye.  Big, athletic and can throw the ball a mile – perfect for the old regime.  The only problem is Pryor isn’t cut out to be an NFL quarterback at the moment.  He was decent for a stretch last season, but injuries soon displaced him from the starting gig.  His stat line (57.4% completion rate, 2,374 total yards, nine touchdowns, 11 interceptions) was average and padded by rushing yards.  As of late, trade rumors are spiraling around with Pryor’s name involved.  It seems very clear that Terrelle Pryor won’t be a Raider in 2014.  If he is cut, he stands a good chance to land on a roster as a third string quarterback with upside.  A creative offensive mind may be able to get the most out of Pryor, if given the opportunity.  Depending on roster depth, Pryor should be held on to, if feasible.

Running Backs

Darren McFadden

Run DMC has finally punched his ticket out of Oakland.  One of the best young talents in the 2008 NFL Draft has repeatedly been hampered by injuries.  The list of ailments is long and well documented, so while “McFadden” and “injury” are now synonymous, we’ll try to focus on 2013 and beyond.  Last season was ugly, really ugly.  McFadden posted the same, pathetic 3.3 yards per carry he did in 2012 and had approximately 100 fewer attempts.  He also had the lowest reception total of his career (17) last year.  McFadden has been a player who historically divides the fantasy football community.  Some people take the risk of drafting DMC, while others avoid him like the Silver and Black plague, but now he is a free agent and looking for a new team that’ll take a chance on him.  His name has been linked to Cincinnati since his old head coach, Hue Jackson, was recently named the offensive coordinator of the Bengals.  There have also been contradictory reports saying the Bengals will not be the next landing spot for McFadden.  As Gio Bernard owners hold their breath, DMC owners should hope he lands on a team where there is a solid quarterbacking situation and a decent offensive line.  Not so much for your sake as his owner, but so it will make him more appealing to a suitor in your league.  I won’t speculate as to where he ends up, but I do know his value will rise once a new team is named.  It happens every year.  Free Agent X signs with a new team, people begin connecting dots and creating a buzz around the player and then his value incessantly rises.  There will be a small window to wash your hands clean of DMC, so take advantage of it and don’t look back.

Rashad Jennings

Jennings is an interesting prospect for 2014.  After doing absolutely nothing in Jacksonville, he came to Oakland to back up McFadden last season.  I’m sure he knew at some point his number would get called, knowing DMC’s availability issues.  The spotlight really found Jennings’ in week eight when he finally received over 15 touches.  For the next five games, he didn’t get fewer than 15 carries and all but sewed up the starting role until season’s end.  Like McFadden, he too is a free agent in 2014, and there may be a decent market for his services.  Jennings has less than 500 career touches, so despite being 28 years old, he should have some gas left in the tank.  For dynasty purposes, Rashad Jennings should be obtained if, and only if, your team is close to a championship and you need depth.  The price tag shouldn’t be too high right now as his March ADP was RB56 (#160 overall).  There is still a chance he could be re-signed by Oakland.  We’ll know soon enough.

Latavius Murray

Here’s the next great hope for Raiders fans.  Using March ADP data collected by DLF’s own Ryan McDowell, Murray (RB40) finally passed McFadden (RB42) in draft rank.  I expect Murray’s stock to continue to rise as the season approaches, so if you’re on the fence about acquiring him, pull the trigger now.  The only way his price doesn’t rise is if Oakland brings in a veteran running back via free agency.  The rumor has been floated out that Murray will get the first crack at the starting role in 2014, as he should.  The exact quote from head coach Dennis Allen was, “I think Latavius is one of those guys that we’re anxious to see be healthy and get out there and play.”  Why wouldn’t he be?  Murray is 6’3, 223 lbs and ran a 4.3 40-yard dash.  Unfortunately, he suffered a foot injury that held him back last year.  Putting a dynasty spin on it, the foot injury may end up helping you snag Murray before his current owner is reminded of his capabilities in training camp.

Marcel Reece

Reece is one of the more underrated players in the NFL.  He is labeled as a fullback, but possesses the skillset of a half back.  In 2012, he caught over 50 balls for nearly 500 yards.  The best way to describe Reece is as a poor man’s Joique Bell.  He will never be the running back you depend on week in and week out, but he can be a sneaky spot start.  He figures to be on the field at the same as Latavius Murray (or whoever ends up being the starting running back), so there is always a chance of him stealing a touchdown.  In 2013, he wasn’t used as a ball carrier much (mostly due to the emergence of Jennings), but he stayed healthy, which is always a good thing.  Reece is a nice stash on a deep roster, especially with McFadden and Jennings possibly hitting the road.  Though Murray is being deemed the starter, no one is sure of his durability.  Reece can likely be obtained in a trade as a “throw in.”

Taiwan Jones

Jones is mostly a special teams contributor now.  At one time, his stock rose because he was considered the best option as a back up to McFadden, but those times are gone as they have converted him to a cornerback with the reserve running back label.  Jones got a three year extension in February from Oakland, so he has some value in their eyes, just not as a full time running back.

Wide Receivers

Rod Streater

Streater was a little known player before the 2013 season.  Though he had some of the best size in the receiving corps, it took Darrius Heyward-Bey leaving via free agency to open the door for his opportunity to be Oakland’s WR1.  In 2013, Streater had 60 receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns, which translates to decent WR3 numbers.  He had at least one catch in every game last season, despite having a small handful of quarterbacks throwing him the rock.  Assuming the Raiders make an effort to find an upgrade at the quarterback position, Streater could easily repeat last year’s performance, if not improve.  His potential will be a lot easier to predict once free agency comes and goes this week.  The Raiders have a lot of cap space and could be in the market to bring in a big wide receiver to challenge the existing corps.  If Oakland does sign a veteran receiver, it may be time to sell Streater.

Denarius Moore

He sometimes resembles an acrobat more than a receiver on the field, but for his smaller stature, he usually does pretty well for himself.  Last season, Moore missed three games and only started ten, but in every game he did play, he had at least two catches.  While it is nice he had consistent catches, his yardage dropped off at the end of the year pretty significantly.  As with Streater, Moore’s stock could fall if Oakland brings in another wide receiver through free agency.  Unfortunately for him, there are a couple receivers on the roster who may chip into his production even further than they did in 2013.  Moore should simply be on a roster for depth.

Andre Holmes

Holmes is the biggest wide receiver (6’5, 208 lbs) on the current roster.  He was in Dallas in 2011 and 2012, before going to Oakland in 2013.  He had 25 catches in ten games a season ago, but was the third wide receiving option behind Streater and Moore.  Andre Holmes is a player to buy now, as he didn’t get too many opportunities to shine in 2013, but will warrant a closer look by the coaching staff.  Expect Holmes to be a prominent part of the Raiders offense in 2014.

Jacoby Ford

Ford is similar to Taiwan Jones in that he was thought to be a good buy-low in the past, but has failed to live up to that label.  Injuries have set him back, but it appears he is more of a part-time return man with some receiving ability, than a true receiver.  Oakland will let Ford hit the free agent market, and if you own him, you should follow suit.  Brice Brown is the likely replacement for Ford.

Tight Ends

Mychal Rivera

Rivera was drafted last year by Oakland to be more of an offensive weapon than a typical tight end.  At 6’3, 242 lbs, Rivera is built like a big wide receiver and seems to fit the new prototype on tight ends.  He is a player who brings a rare excitement to Raiders fan and dynasty owners alike because he may offer something Oakland has lacked for a while—a solid red zone threat.  Rivera played in all 16 games last season and posted 38 catches for 407 yards and four touchdowns.  All those numbers can be expected to see a bump if Oakland upgrades at quarterback this season.  He is likely sitting on someone’s roster as depth, but with the stigma of Oakland being a wasteland for fantasy purposes, he may be acquirable on the cheap.

Nick Kasa

This is a big man, as Kasa stands at 6’6″, 269 lbs.  He is more the standard blocking-type tight end, but is very athletic.  He isn’t the best receiver, as he has been knocked as a “body catcher,” but that isn’t what he is in Oakland to do right now.  Things are very fluid for the Raiders on the offensive side of the ball and if Oakland decides to implement a two tight end scheme, Kasa will be on the field a lot with Rivera.  I’ve even seen the comparison of Kasa/Rivera to Gronkowski/Hernandez.  That is probably presumptuous, but gives us an idea of how these players are viewed together.  Kasa should be added to deep dynasty rosters.

Editor’s Note: Well, that’s it.  We’ve completed the team capsules for 2014. Stay tuned as we’ll move full steam ahead into Free Agency and NFL Draft coverage. We’ll also revisit each team this Summer to unveil a sleeper and determine winners and losers from Free Agency and the NFL Draft. What, you thought we’d take a break?