Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders did select rookie tight end Brock Bowers with the 13th overall pick in April, but he will have to earn a starting role in 2024. Bowers has a dynamic skill set as a pass-catcher and can line up as an in-line tight end, outside receiver or inside as a slot receiver. He has good hands, athleticism and speed, and is adept at picking up yards after the catch. The downside is that he's a little undersized at 6-foot-3, 243 pounds and was a questionable blocker in college at Georgia. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's run-first scheme asks a lot out of TEs in the run game, so Bowers will have to make strides there to stay on the field and hold off last year's second-rounder, Michael Mayer. Mayer isn't as explosive as Bowers, but he made substantial growth as a blocker last year and is a talented receiver in his own right. If they both stay healthy, Bowers has the much higher fantasy ceiling.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell split snaps with the starters during offseason team activities and will continue to do so when training camp begins later this month. Both signal-callers got off to rough starts during OTAs and struggled with accuracy, turned the ball over too much and failed to consistently push the ball down the field. They are both learning offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's scheme, but they both still have a ways to go. The front office and coaching staff are confident that Minshew or O'Connell will separate themselves in training camp and the preseason. It will depend on performance, but it wouldn't be a surprise if both Minshew and O'Connell take the field at some point in 2024. Minshew is probably the favorite given his experience and ability to make plays with his legs.

The Athletic's Vic Tafur writes that it's the Las Vegas Raiders' plan to use more two-tight end sets this year involving rookie first-rounder Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, who was a second-round selection in 2023. In addition, the Raiders will line up Bowers out wide and behind the quarterback at times to give the defense unique looks. It's not that the Raiders suddenly don't like Mayer now after drafting Bowers in the first round, but they just thought they couldn't pass up on Bowers' explosiveness and even turned down a team trying to trade up for him. While Mayer will still have a role in the offense in his second NFL season, he's going to take a back seat to Bowers in 2024 and will go undrafted in standard 12-team fantasy leagues this fall. Bowers, meanwhile has the potential for a Sam LaPorta-like season in his rookie campaign.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White stepped up last season and is in great shape heading into the 2024 season, but he will have to prove it to the coaching staff again this year and to new general manager Tom Telesco. The Raiders lost Josh Jacobs in free agency but brought in Alexander Mattison because of his fit to the new offense. The Athletic's Vic Tafur also writes that the Raiders could add another running back if either White or Mattison get off to a slow start in training camp this summer. The 24-year-old White is expected to open the season as Vegas' lead back, with Mattison filling a complementary role ahead of RB3 Ameer Abdullah. As long as he doesn't fall flat in training camp and the preseason, fantasy managers should view White as a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 as he takes on an expanded role with Jacobs out of the picture.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell was unexpectedly moved into the starting role last season after veterans Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer flamed out and head coach Josh McDaniels was fired. The Purdue product completed 62.1% of his passes for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He played well enough to contend to be the starting in 2024, but he'll have to beat out Gardner Minshew II. Hoyer, a 15-year NFL veteran, isn't counting O'Connell out. "Maybe I'm biased," Hoyer said. "But I think what Aidan did last year -- I know he hasn't shown it as much as Gardner Minshew has throughout his career -- but I know the guys really gravitated to the way Aidan took over and his leadership as a young player." O'Connell has familiarity with the organization and chemistry with Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, so he could have a slight edge in the battle for the QB1 spot. If he wins the job, he might have underrated value in Superflex and two-QB formats.