Oakland Raiders fans want to know what they can expect from this offense in 2015. Fantasy football owners want to know what they can expect from Oakland's offensive skill position players in 2015. Let's tackle both.
Second-year quarterback Derek Carr was not a rookie phenom last year but he put up solid numbers despite a glaring lack of talent around him. Carr finished as the No. 19 fantasy QB thanks to a whopping 599 pass attempts (more than guys like Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler) and some interception luck. Fortunately, his supporting cast looks better this year. The Raiders drafted Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper with the fourth overall pick and signed sometimes good-sometimes not former San Francisco 49ers wideout Michael Crabtree. Cooper should immediately be Oakland's No. 1 wide receiver.
The Raiders also drafted tight end Clive Walford and signed pass-catching running back Roy Helu. On paper, Carr's numbers should go up based on the improved weapons around him.
Equally important is running back Latavius Murray. He's expected to be the No. 1 back and impressed in limited action last season (424 yards and two touchdowns, 5.2 YPC) but has just 82 career carries. If he stumbles at all, Trent Richardson and Helu will both get a look.
So how should fantasy owners approach this offense?
"Murray and Cooper are probably the lone Raiders that will be chosen in most drafts, and each could see their stock affected this summer," ESPN Fantasy Insider Eric Karabell wrote. "Murray's really on the hot seat, because he was a sixth-round pick and Richardson, for all his flaws the past two seasons, used to have skills. He could find them again. For now, Murray is a borderline top-20 running back, perhaps more of a flex choice, but he's more likely to drop the wrong direction based on word from Raiders camp this summer. It sounds like I'm down on him, but it's more about expectation. He's not exactly proven, and likely won't play much on third down. Cooper's more likely to rise in the rankings as rookies generally get overrated. For now, he's ranked a round after Murray. That should change."
