Las Vegas Raiders

The Athletic's Tashan Reed writes that Las Vegas Raiders running backs Ameer Abdullah and rookie sixth-rounder Dylan Laube are in a position battle to determine who will be the third-down running back behind Zamir White and Alexander Mattison. Neither Abdullah nor Laube made much of an impact in the preseason opener last weekend against the Minnesota Vikings, so the competition remains a toss-up as of right now. The 31-year-old Abdullah probably has a leg up just because of his familiarity with the offense after catching 19 of his 24 targets in 2023 for 131 yards in 17 games played. However, unless one of White or Mattison miss time with an injury this year, it's hard to foresee Abdulla or Laube having much fantasy appeal outside of very deep PPR leagues.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder is currently listed as the No. 2 QB on the second depth chart of the 2024 season that the team released before their second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. It doesn't mean that the QB battle for the No. 2 job between Ridder and Clayton Tune is over this summer, though. Ridder is trying to secure the backup job behind Kyler Murray in the desert this year after quickly flaming out in Atlanta after the Falcons took him in the third round in 2022. Both Ridder and Tune will get plenty of action in the final two preseason games with Murray not playing at all until Week 1. Ridder struggled with turnovers for the Falcons and quickly proved that he wasn't their franchise signal-caller in 19 games in two seasons. He's off the fantasy radar for now.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell got the start in the preseason opener last week, so Gardner Minshew II will get the nod on Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys, with both QBs set to play a quarter as they continue their competition. O'Connell went 7-for-9 for 76 yards, while Minshew went 6-for-12 for 117 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Antonio Pierce said he's hoping to decide the QB battle after this Saturday's contest. The two signal-callers have much different styles, with O'Connell being more of a pocket passer, while the 28-year-old Minshew has found more success on off-script plays outside the pocket. Minshew is more of a boom/bust type QB in fantasy, but regardless of who wins the QB competition in Vegas, they won't be much more than a low-end QB2/high-end QB3 in superflex leagues.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White continues his strong showing during training camp with his fast and physical running style. Showing that he's a great fit for new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's scheme, White has been bouncing off of defenders throughout practice on Tuesday. White received six carries for 23 yards and punched in a touchdown from two yards out in the first preseason contest against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday as he sits perched on top of the depth chart at the running back position without much opposition. A breakout candidate in his third season as a pro, the former Georgia Bulldog is a worthwhile mid-round pick in fantasy drafts as an RB2 who could be a big value this season with Josh Jacobs now in Green Bay.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller was ineffective on the ground in a Preseason Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Spiller ran the ball five times for a total of five yards on the ground. He did add three catches on three targets for an additional 18 yards however. Spiller had some bright moments among his 37 carries last season, but was mostly a depth option in the Chargers backfield. It'll take a few injuries this season for him to be much more than that, as he currently sits fourth at best on the running back list.