Oakland Raiders: Biggest NFL Fantasy Targets

Dec 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater (80) runs with the ball after catching a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

NFL fantasy owners will be wary of what to do about the Oakland Raiders roster.  Who are the best options available?

Rod Streater

In 14 starts last season despite two different quarterbacks, wide receiver Rod Streater managed to post a career-best 888 yards on 60 catches and four touchdowns.  He has good size and knows how to get himself open.  Now he may finally have a quality quarterback to deliver the ball.  Everything about his stats are trending up so he’s worth a look.

James Jones

An injury knocked him out for two games last year but James Jones still managed to put up over 800 yards and three touchdowns in a Green Bay offense meant to spread the ball around.  The year before Jones actually scored 14 touchdowns.  So the 30-year old knows how to make impact plays.  He will just need the Oakland Raiders to utilize him more often than was with the Packers.

Matt Schaub

It’s amazing.  Last season was so harrowing for quarterback Matt Schaub that many fans and NFL fantasy owners have forgotten that he is a two-time Pro Bowler who has passed for over 4,000 yards three times in the past five seasons.  The capability is there for him to produce, it’s merely a question of health and precision.  Both are problems that got him traded in the first place, but Schaub has waiver wire appeal if he starts fast.

Darren McFadden

At this point the Oakland Raiders and NFL fantasy owners are in agreement that the stock for Darren McFadden is on life support.  The promising 1st round pick from 2008 has not been able to stay healthy his entire career.  This despite averaging over 5.0 yards per carry in two-straight seasons at one point.  Could this finally be the year he hoodwinks the injury bug?  If he can, there is a good enough offensive line in front of him to do some damage.

The Defense

Perhaps the most intriguing NFL fantasy option the Raiders will field in 2014 is not a single player but in fact their defense.  Thanks to a series of daring free agent signings and draft picks, the unit looks substantially more formidable than it did last season, particularly in the pass rush.  If the trio of Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley and Khalil Mack can live up to their billings, this defensive unit has a chance to generate some fantasy appeal.