2020 Dynasty Capsule: Las Vegas Raiders

Every year we give our premium content members a team-by-team, player-by-player look at the NFL season that was. The coverage will be in-depth, but because the Dynasty Capsule series begins immediately after the season, we won’t use it to discuss free agency or the draft. Come see us in early May once Mr. Irrelevant is off the board for another 32-article series giving you the same detailed discussion you’ll see below.

Buckle up dynasty fans, because you’re about to be reminded why our motto is, “There is no off-season.”

Quarterback

Derek Carr (ADP: 219.33, QB27)

Age: 28

After an abysmal 4-12 performance the year before, the Raiders rebounded nicely in 2019.

With Jon Gruden at the helm, a resurgent Carr led the young Raider offense to a 7-9 record. Throwing for more than 4,000 yards and completing over 70% of his pass attempts with 21 touchdowns to just eight interceptions, he demonstrated significant improvement in overall decision making in the pocket.

It was one of his best statistical years in every category, despite touchdown totals being down in 2019.

He is under contract with the Raiders through 2022 and appears to be improving under his first full season with Jon Gruden, but it is quite clear that the 28-year-old is no longer the face of the franchise. Will the Raiders pursue a free agent quarterback this off-season, or will they dip into the draft pool? It remains uncertain.

Carr is worth a stash in one quarterback leagues. Whether the Raiders move on from him this off-season or not, he’ll get a chance to start somewhere and has the capability of being a formidable starting quarterback for at least a few more years.

Mike Glennon (ADP: 237.17)

Age: 30

Glennon appeared in two games for the Raiders in 2019, completing six passes for 56 yards and one touchdown. The seven-year veteran is set to be a free agent this off-season, and with the young talent Gruden has beneath Glennon, it seems unlikely that the Raiders will re-sign. He can be left on waivers in nearly every league format.

Nathan Peterman (ADP: 239)

Age: 25

He showed some signs of life within the new-look Raiders offense this off-season. Gruden continually showed support for the 25-year-old, who has undoubtedly had one of the most difficult starts to a career.

Despite Gruden’s praise for his improvements, he never saw the field in 2019 and is now a free agent this off-season. Whether or not he re-signs with the Raiders for the 2020 season, Peterman can be left off all rosters in all formats.

DeShone Kizer (ADP: 236.17, QB48)

Age: 24

As we have seen in the past, Gruden has a way of bringing young quarterbacks under his belt and developing them within his system. He continues to build upon this tradition with the acquisition of Peterman and the addition of Kizer.

Added off waivers during the 2019 season, it will be interesting to see how the Raiders handle Kizer, who has one year left on his contract. I recommend stashing him if you have the roster room this off-season to see how Gruden truly values this still very young quarterback.

Running Back

Josh Jacobs (ADP: 19.50, RB10)

Age: 22

Jacobs exploded onto the scene for the Raiders in 2019, staking his claim as the running back of the future and proving all doubters wrong who faded him away from the 1.01 in rookie drafts.

He ran for over 1,100 yards, scoring seven touchdowns while averaging an impressive 4.8 YPC in his rookie season. He also caught 20 passes out of the backfield, something that Gruden stated he wants to increase in 2020.

He began the season with an overall ADP of 31.8 but has quickly seen his ranking rise into the first two rounds of most startup drafts. Better yet, his value has skyrocketed making him a valuable trade asset, especially in superflex leagues. I like the 2020 rookie class, but the 2021 class is now looking spectacular.

Using DLF’s Trade Analyzer you can see Jacobs’ value is about the equivalent as the 1.02 in superflex formats. While he is an RB1 and the future back for the Raiders, I wouldn’t hesitate for a chance to grab Burrow or Tua and leverage my way into some picks for the 2021 class.

Jalen Richard (ADP: 228.67, RB72)

Age: 26

Richard appeared in all 16 games for the Raiders in 2019, carrying the ball 39 times for 145 yards and catching 36 passes out of the backfield for over 300 yards, keeping himself somewhat fantasy relevant.

It was certainly not the season that many dynasty owners had expected considering that he caught over 60 passes just a season ago. However, with the addition of a true RB1 in Jacobs, it became very clear that Richard’s role was to simply become a spell back to the rookie sensation.

He re-signed with the Raiders already this off-season, completing a two-year deal and at least to some degree claiming his role as the third-down back in this offense. I am a handcuff truther all the way, so if Richard is available on your dynasty waiver wires, you need to add him this off-season. He has never proven to be a consistent rusher, but if his role increases in the passing game he will always hold some value.

DeAndre Washington (ADP: 231.83, RB65)

Age: 27

Washington is set to become a free agent this off-season. He will likely be a fairly sought after name within many organizations looking to add a solid RB3 into their offense. Coming off what many would consider the best year of his career, he showed some signs of life in his game and a lot of improvement in his ability to catch the ball.

He rushed for 387 yards and three touchdowns on just over 100 attempts, while also catching 36 passes out the backfield for almost 300 yards.

I expect that the Raiders do not want to let Washington go this off-season, but it is evident that they need to add a more consistent running threat to pair with Jacobs this off-season. Both Richard and Washington have been given their chances and neither have truly proven their worth in that area.

Nonetheless, he is a great off-season stash for your dynasty rosters and could end up holding some value heading into the 2020 season.

Wide Receiver

Tyrell Williams (ADP: 136.17, WR56)

Age: 28

Williams came over during free agency from the Chargers in 2019 and immediately made a splash with the Oakland Raiders. In his first four games, he had 17 receptions for 216 yards and four touchdowns. He saw his ADP rise from 164th (13th round) in August to 98th (8th round) in November and appeared on track to help rebuild the organization.

Unfortunately, injuries crept in. He would go on to miss the next four weeks, finish the season with just 42 receptions for 651 yards and six touchdowns. While the season was not a total loss by any means, his injuries certainly affected the Raiders’ chances at winning ball games.

He is contracted through 2022 with the Raiders and dynasty owners will hope to get a fully healthy receiver come training camp in the fall. I am holding on to him as his ADP value is likely to rise again in 2020. Using one of my favorite tools – the DLF Trade Finder – I would gladly send some shares of Sony Michel and Williams in return for a rising DJ Chark.

Hunter Renfrow (ADP: 134, WR73)

Age: 24

The Raiders used their fifth-round pick in the 2019 draft to select the former national champion Renfrow out of Clemson. As we saw on HBO’s Hard Knocks, he immediately became a fan favorite of Gruden and expectations were high from dynasty owners given the Raiders’ lack of receiving depth.

It took him quite a while to find his rhythm within the Raider offense as he shared snaps in the slot with Ryan Grant to start the 2019 season. He would go on to finish the season with 49 receptions for 605 yards and four touchdowns.

In his final two games of the season, Renfrow shined within the Raider offense, catching 13 passes for 200-plus yards and two touchdowns, giving fans and dynasty owners a lot to be excited about moving forward into the 2020 season.

The Raiders will be adding some depth this off-season via free agency and in the draft, but I believe Renfrow built enough trust with the coaching staff and quarterbacks to maintain his role as the slot receiver moving forward. With a full off-season under his belt, look for him to be a PPR machine in 2020.

Zay Jones (ADP: 224, WR79)

Age: 24

The former second-round pick out of East Carolina got a fresh start in Oakland in 2019, and with a year left on his contract he still has a ton to prove moving forward in 2020. In ten games last year, Jones managed just 20 receptions for 147 yards.

He is currently at the bottom of the totem pole in our DLF ADP rankings at 224, which means he is available in a lot of your dynasty leagues. Good. Keep him there over the off-season. The Raiders are bound to add meaningful depth over the summer, pushing Jones out of the dynasty window completely.

Keelan Doss (ADP: 237)

Age: 23

There was a ton of hype surrounding Doss in the 2019 preseason as he emerged as the fan-child of Raider Nation and Gruden. Unfortunately, when push came to shove the hometown favorite was cut by the organization, only to be re-signed when plagued by injuries.

Doss will again find himself in a similar situation this off-season as he will have to fight through training camp once again. He did not necessarily prove the Raiders wrong for cutting him the first time and will have even more work to improve upon if he is to make the team in 2020.

Tight End

Darren Waller (ADP: 87.33, TE9)

Age: 27

I owned one share of Darren Waller in 2019 and one of my greatest regrets in life was selling him days before his breakout season. Waller emerged as the lone, consistent pass catcher for the Raiders in 2019. The 27-year old turned 117 targets into 90 receptions for over 1,100 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He hauled in over 75% of his targets and became a fantasy dominator, specifically in TE Premium formats.

He finished as the TE5 on the season and will look to build upon his impressive outing with the Raiders. This was only a matter of time for Waller and props to the dynasty owners that stuck with him through thick and thin. Believe it or not, when Waller tested at the combine, his physical comparisons were that of Mike Evans, Marques Colston, and Michael Floyd. All players who have had incredible NFL careers.

Waller may not produce to the same shocking level in 2020, but he will still be a favorite target of Derek Carr, and a favorite of Jon Gruden who called Waller’s number multiple times in 2019 in the red zone. Last stat of the day. Waller scored a fantasy point for you, or against you on every 3.96 snaps!

Foster Moreau (ADP: 235.50, TE32)

Age: 22

Believe it or not, Moreau was the favorite red zone threat of the Oakland Raiders in 2019. While Waller was targeted 11 times near the endzone, Moreau turned his seven targets into a perfect seven receptions and five touchdowns.

The 22-year old rookie was drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and while the focus was on Waller this year, Moreau looks to be the tight end of the future for the Raiders organization. He reminds me a lot of Dallas Goedert, specifically in the way that Zach Ertz has swallowed up a majority of the tight end snaps and targets for the Eagles, but Goedert always finds a way to find the endzone. The same can be said of Moreau.

Moreau only appeared in 13 of the Raiders games in 2019, catching 21 passes for 174 yards and five touchdowns, but what is mind-boggling to me is you can pick him up in the 19th round of most startup drafts this off-season. Moreau has the potential to be a TE1 for any franchise in the NFL and will only grow and develop as his career moves on. Do not pass him by.

Derek Carrier (ADP: 226.33)

Age: 29

The eight-year veteran played the third-string role for the Raiders in 2019 and looks to be fit for the same role moving forward. He caught 13 passes for 108 yards and one touchdown, but it is clear who the fantasy-relevant options are on this team. It is best to let Carrier remain on waivers.