Team Talk: Oakland Raiders

By Adam Filadelfo (@Frostt24)

It's now time to look at a team that hasn't produced much for fantasy owners in recent memory, the Oakland Raiders. With a few new names on the offensive side of the ball, the Raiders will attempt to bring glory to Oakland and fantasy owners in 2014.

Matt Schaub- There really is no reason for fantasy owners to believe Matt Schaub can do anything for their fantasy teams. He threw more interceptions than touchdowns last season and there were a few picks that were returned for touchdowns. Schaub averaged just under 16 fantasy points per game and a change of scenery probably won't do much for Matt Schaub or his fantasy value this year.

Derek Carr- Fantasy owners are probably expecting Derek Carr to become the starting quarterback for the Raiders at some point in 2014. The second round pick out of Fresno St spent his three years compiling over 12,800 passing yards and 113 touchdowns. It's not hard to see why the Raiders are excited about him. As far as fantasy value goes, he may not have much to start the season unless he's named the starter before the regular season begins.

Maurice Jones-Drew- MJD came over from Jacksonville and before he left, rushed for over 800 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught 43 passes out of the backfield and averaged over nine fantasy points per game in his last season with the Jaguars. It's hard to think of MJD as a top fantasy back these days but with the injury history that is Darren McFadden, savvy fantasy owners know MJD will get more than his share of touches with the Raiders in 2014.

Darren McFadden- All the talent in the world and can't stay healthy enough to prove it. Most fantasy owners have all but given up on Run DMC heading into fantasy drafts for 2014 and with good reason. In ten games played in 2013, McFadden underwhelmed by rushing for under 400 yards and adding next to nothing in the passing game. The less than eight fantasy points per game make him a running back fantasy owners will draft in later rounds expecting nothing but hoping for the best.

Marcel Reece- Reece was a little more productive in the passing game than he was on the ground. He's far more valuable in PPR formats than standard scoring and could make some noise in 2014 if the quarterback situation isn't a mess. Reece averaged under five fantasy points per game in 2013 so fantasy owners shouldn't expect too much from him this year.

Andre Holmes- Holmes made a little name for himself late in the season and was a hot waiver wire add at one point. While he didn't impress fantasy owners enough to make owners move him up their draft boards, he will be a nice boost to a receiving corp late in fantasy drafts for owners looking for a late steal and some depth to their roster. In the ten games Holmes did play in 2013, he averaged under five fantasy points per game so he may have had his fifteen minutes of fame already. With a good quarterback in Oakland, Holmes could make a name for himself again in 2014.

James Jones- Last season with the Packers, James Jones finished with 59 receptions for over 800 yards and three touchdowns. Jones was drafted in 2013 due to his touchdown potential from 2012 which saw him haul in 14 touchdowns. Owners looking for a repeat of that performance were greatly disappointed and owners looking for James Jones to reemerge as a big play threat again in 2014 will be let down again.

Greg Little- With Cleveland last season, Greg Little once again didn't live up to his expectations of taking that next step. He couldn't hold onto the ball when he was targeted and his dismal 3.7 fantasy points per game should be enough for fantasy owners to consider Little much later in drafts and with an uncertain quarterback position in Oakland at this point, won't make much difference this season either.

Denarius Moore- Moore had a decent fantasy season in 2013. Nothing that would make fantasy owners think they had to absolutely have him on their roster, but enough of a good season for owners to consider him in the later rounds of drafts. Moore did finish 2013 with 46 catches for almost 700 yards and five touchdowns and averaged almost eight fantasy points per game. Not too bad for a receiver sitting on most waiver wires to start the 2013 season.