It’s a little too early to get into the real meat and potatoes of Fantasy Football projections for the 2010 NFL season, but let’s take an early glance at a couple options in Oakland for this year.
Last year, the Raiders gave up almost 24 points a game while averaging just over 12 themselves. Not exactly a recipe for success in fantasy or reality. Additions via free agency, trades, and the draft should translate into improvements on both sides of the ball and there’s a decent chance Oakland could be a much improved sleeper team (though most of Raider Nation is likely stuck in believe-it-when-we-see-it mode).
Michael Bush and Darren McFadden don’t really scare many opponents from the RB position, where most fantasy value lies. It’s still unclear if one guy will win the job or if they’ll split time and touches. Neither should be your starting RB if you’re planning on winning your league, but if somehow the offensive line improves and one of these guys wins the job outright, breaks out and starts living up to his potential, he could be a fantasy sleeper (especially assuming new QB Jason Campbell and a solid defense should both rely on a ball-control running game).
Since RB (and certainly WR) is not exactly loaded with talent in Oakland, one of the safest Raiders to pick would be TE Zach Miller. Campbell will likely need a security blanket, and given the lack of talent outside and Miller’s previous success, there’s a good chance Miller will be the go to guy. Considering how mediocre-to-bad the Redskins and Campbell were over the last few years, Washington TE Chris Cooley was always a reliable fantasy TE when healthy.
I also think the Raiders defense might be a solid fantasy unit. I already mentioned that they gave up close to 24 points per game last season, but with first-round pick Rolando McClain at MLB, DL Richard Seymour resigned to team with free agent DL John Henderson, and Pro Bowl CB Nnamdi Asomugha, this defense could dominate since they won’t have JaMarcus Russell handing the opposing team the ball in scoring position.
Campbell should likely only be considered as a backup fantasy QB, but depending on matchups (and if you draft top-notch guys at other positions in the first few rounds of your draft) he could be a serviceable starter if need-be.
As with everything in fantasy football, don’t forget to consider scheduling. The Raiders play the NFC West this year. With Kurt Warner retired, there’s not one scary offense in that group, so that’s another factor that favors Oakland’s offense. They also play Jacksonville, Miami, Kansas City (twice) and Denver (twice); all should be low-scoring affairs.
If you do have Campbell as your backup, he hosts a weak Kansas City team in week 9 when Donovan McNabb (who could be the starter for you or your opponent) is on bye. In week 8, Matt Ryan, Eli Manning, Kevin Kolb, Joe Flacco, and Jay Cutler will all be on their byes while Campbell will be suiting up at home against what will likely be a crappy Seahawks defense.
Come fantasy playoff time, Oakland hosts the Colts Week 16 (when Indy could already be sitting starters), and the Raiders play the lousy Chiefs in Week 17 in what could end up being a must-win for Oakland.
So while most fantasy teams won’t be filled with guys in Silver & Black, it might be wise for you to consider a few of these options by the Bay.
2010 Fantasy Football Gems on the Oakland Raiders - Realfootball365.com
