2015 Offensive Line Rankings and Fantasy Football Impact: Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
We credit Pro Football Focus, STATS LLC and Football Outsiders with OL performance data
Oakland was a decent pass-blocking unit in 2014, however, it was terrible in the run-blocking aspect. Pass protection at least, was improved from 2013. The team has been active in NFL Free Agency and the draft in order to improve this group.
The Raiders signed center Rodney Hudson away from the division-rival Chiefs – and while GM Reggie McKenzie overpaid for him, Hudson is a really nice addition. The team also added veteran OT J’Marcus Webb to the roster in the offseason.
Oakland has been relatively active in attempting to build its offensive line through the draft the last few years. The Raiders selected OG Jon Feliciano in Round 4 of this year’s draft as well as Anthony Morris in Round 7 while they took RosterWatch All-Senior Bowl Roster alum OG Gabe Jackson last year, and OT Menelik Watson in Round 2 of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Projected Starting Lineup
Donald Penn, LT 6’4″ 315 pounds– We’ll still never figure out how Jared Veldheer isn’t still a Raider but Penn was a great veteran replacement, he graded excellently in first year with Oakland in 2014 and was especially strong in pass protection
Gabe Jackson, LG 6’3″ 335 pounds– We always said Gabe Jackson was going to be another Larry Warford-type Senior Bowl product, apparently OL coach Mike Tice sees the same thing as he recently called Jackson “a rising star,” he had an inspiring rookie year in 2014, surprisingly a better pass blocker than run blocker, we believe Jackson has big future upside in the run game
Rodney Hudson, C 6’2″ 300 pounds– A Round 2 pick in 2011 by the division-rival Chiefs, was one of the league’s best centers in 2014, we have some minor concerns that prior to last season he was more of a middle-of-the-road player, he may just be hitting his stride at 26 years old
Khalif Barnes, RG 6’6″ 320 pounds– At 33 years old Barnes was historically an underperforming OT who hasn’t shown well in his limited time at OG, however he’s never been dedicated to the OG position, this move is long overdue, Barnes will face stiff competition in training camp
Austin Howard, RT 6’7″ 330 pounds– Struggled at OG in his first season with Oakland, was an above-average right tackle for the Jets from 2012-2013 before seeing his play decline with the Raiders, consistency is an area where Howard desperately needs to improve
Notes-
We believe Raider Nation is going to be surprisingly pleased with its offensive line this season. The left side, center through left tackle, looks to be dominant. The RG/RT positions are far less settled – and significantly more concerning – although we believe the stiff competition for those two spots will breed improved results in 2015.
This a B to B- group, which is especially good news for Latavius Murray, and back up/complementary back Roy Helu. It’s also a solid unit for QB Derek Carr‘s continued development.
In the passing game, stud rookie Amari Cooper and veteran Michael Crabtree are the only fantasy-draft-worthy commodities in Oakland. Each of whom appears to have some real upside going in to the season. The team has talented depth at WR- guys like Rod Streater, Andre Holmes, and Brice Butler are all players to consider adding to your post-draft FA watch list.
The tight end situation is one to monitor. While not a world-beater, we must admit Clive Walford was one of the best tight ends we’ve scouted live in all our years at the Senior Bowl and was a member of this year’s All-Senior Bowl Roster. The team is very high on him. But, with his preseason injury woes – it’s worth remembering that Carr had a nice connection with Mychal Rivera last season- who was also previously a less-dynamic (but still solid) player at his own Senior Bowl. It’s not worth drafting either outside of dynasty, but we recommend tight end needy owners keep an eye on both of them.
Oakland’s depth along the offensive line is questionable heading into the 2015 season:
J’Marcus Webb– Round 7 pick in 2010 who we were never sold on during his short time as a Texas Longhorn before going the JUCO route, was a poor starting LT in Chicago, played very little in Minnesota the last two years, is a better run blocker than pass blocker but that’s not saying much, he’ll likely compete at the RG spot which would be an upgrade over his time at OT
Tony Bergstrom– was Reggie McKenzie’s first-ever draft pick, he played in nine games as a rookie but only started once, missed all of the 2013 season with a significant foot injury, did not play at all in 2014
Menelik Watson– has been a bust (as we’ve always predicted) and is on now on the roster bubble, he’s been injury prone, is only coming into his third NFL season but will be 27 years old before it concludes, has graded poorly in his 12 starts at RT over last two years, the team may look at him at OG to get any sort of return on its investment
Matt McCants– a Round 6 pick in 2012, started 3 games in 2013 but not at all in 2014, has graded respectably in a handful of starts at RT, graded poorly in a reserve role last year
Lamar Mady– UDFA in 2013 with no experience
Jon Feliciano– Round 4 draft pick in 2015, was NFL Draft expert Mike Loyko’s #20 OG prospect, Loyko writes:
“The University of Miami (FL) has had many talented Lineman come and go over the last four years, but Jon Feliciano has been the consistent glue that held things together. Despite his obvious physical limitations, the Hurricanes could always could always count on him each Saturday. Feliciano is a hard-nosed, maximum effort blocker, and his motor masked his lack of athleticism. Feliciano is just an over solid blocker that lacks one defining characteristic. He’s usually in the proper position to complete his block and can generate a surge at the point of attack. In pass protection he maintains good positioning and keeps the defender centered within his frame. Feliciano is a limited area blocker that will struggle in space and when blocking on the move”
Anthony Morris– Round 7 draft pick in 2015 who at 290 pounds was considered underdeveloped physically, buy extremely athletic, he’s a developmental prospect
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I have a 12 team dynasty $200 salary cap keeper question.. The guys im looking at keeping are Ingram $18, Lativus Murray $13, Jstew $12, Kelce $9, Kelvin Benjamin $20, Julio $39, and Russel Wilson $11. Ive been offered two trades. Demaryius Thomas $41 for Benjamin and Wilson. Also $2 John Brown and $2 Delanie Walker for Kelce. Do you like who I’m keeping? What are your thoughts on the two trade offers?
Thanks-Elliott
we like your keepers and definitely like acquiring John Brown and Walker for $4 total for giving up Kelce. We don’t like the trade for Demaryius.
Awesome, would you pick up another TE besides Delanie? Guys like Dwayne Allen, Gates/Ladrius Green, Virgil Green, Julius Thomas, Jimmy Graham, Vernon Davis, Tyler Eifert, Josh Hill, and Jordan Reed will be available.
Also I have Jordan Cameron at $6 as a possible keeper
How much stock should I put in PPR rankings vs. Standard rankings if my league is .3 pts PPR? Is there a better way to rank players using a draft tool that you can input your league’s settings you can recommend? Thanks guys, enjoyed your show last night on a long drive home.
If it’s .3 points PPR, just use the Non-PPR cheat sheet. It will be out in the next few days. Thanks for listening, we appreciate it.
Love the site and can’t wait to use both cheat sheets across like 4 different leagues I’m in this year! Would you advise using the Non-PPR CS in a .5 PPR league as well? It will be a 14 teamer … with 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE and 1 W/R/TE Flex with 5 bench spots.
Yes, the “regular” cheat-sheet is the best one to use for .5 PPR.
I have the Number 4 pick in the draft in a 12 team league. Instead of taking one of the RBs in the top 5, I am leaning towards taking Antonio Brown and then taking another WR in the second round like Cobb or Jeffrey, is this a bad idea and should I take a RB with the first round pick?
It’s hard to know because of ways your draft could fall, but we think taking Brown is perfectly fine at 4. Sometimes, he’s not available. We DON’T like the strategy of planning on taking a WR at your 2nd round pick as you should take the best available player. If Demarco Murray or Jeremy Hill is available, etc. you will be taking them over Alshon or Cobb. AS I told @nkopera above, always default to the cheat sheet and you’ll be guaranteed to maximize value at each pick b/c of how we design it.
Thank you. I am new to this site, how do I get the cheat sheet?
we’ll send an email out this week with a link. it will come to the email address you signed up for your account with. It will be in the “downloads” section should you for some reason not receive the email.
Cool. I just did a Mock and I went with Brown and the best player available with the 2nd pick was Odell… I would be thrilled if that happened. I ended up with Morris and M. Gordon at RB
In a 12 team keeper league. Can keep up to three players. Draft value goes up by 1/2 every year you keep them. Debating which three to keep between Demaryius Thomas 2nd, Eddie Lacy 3rd, Kelvin Benjamin 5th, Jordan Matthews 10th, Jonathan Stewert 18th and Odell Beckham 18th. I own the 9th pick in the upcoming draft.
Hi Big Mike,
We’d keep Odell, Lacy, Benjamin
Good luck this season!
-Byron
Keeper question. 10 team/standard. Most top players available (ODB, Bell, Luck, Lynch & JHill are taken). Need one: Al Morris (2nd), G. Tate (7), Russell (8), or Greg Olsen (9). Thanks guys.
Hi Bomishawg,
Good question- We’d keep Olsen and Wilson. Wouldn’t argue if you decided to keep Tate, just don’t see as much value there. Would not keep Morris for a RD2- you’ll get him in RD4 in a 10 man league if you throw him back into the draft pool.
Good luck!
-Byron