Raiders RB Zamir White (groin) did not practice on Wednesday. With White out last week, RB Alexander Mattison played 57% of Vegas' offensive snaps and handled 15 carries with three targets. Expect a similar workload this weekend if White remains out, but a matchup against the Steelers' 11th-ranked RB defense would leave Mattison as an unexciting RB3.
The Raiders have ruled RB Zamir White (groin) out for this weekend's game vs. the Broncos. It looks like he injured his groin on Wednesday, going from a limited practice then to no practice on Thursday or Friday. His absence will leave Alexander Mattison as Vegas' clear lead back. He figures to lose some passing-down snaps to RB Ameer Abdullah (and potentially Dylan Laube) and is playing on a team with the week's lowest implied total at 16.5 points. So the upside here isn't exciting. But Mattison should compile enough volume to post a decent fantasy score this week.
After putting in a limited practice on Wednesday, Raiders RB Zamir White (groin) did not practice on Thursday. His status for this weekend's game vs. the Broncos is now in serious question. White's absence would likely turn Alexander Mattison into something close to an every-down back. We'll update White's status again tomorrow.
Raiders HC Antonio Pierce said Monday that RB Alexander Mattison "deserves more reps, and he'll get them." Mattison leads RB Zamir White in most rushing metrics this season, including:
White also fumbled for the second time this season in the Week 4 win over the Browns.
It's tough to get excited about Mattison in fantasy football unless he truly takes over as Vegas' feature back. But this backfield will be worth monitoring over the next few weeks. Mattison is worth grabbing in fantasy leagues of 12+ teams.
Raiders RB Dylan Laube has impressed the coaching staff early in camp. HC Antonio Pierce called him "special."
The Raiders selected New Hampshire RB Dylan Laube in Round 6 of the NFL Draft. Including a 2018 redshirt, Laube spent six seasons at New Hampshire. He'll turn 25 in December, making him one of the oldest prospects in the class. Not ideal – but the production speaks for itself. Playing against FCS competition, Laube led the nation in all-purpose yards per game in 2022 (194.3). Included in there: Three games north of 200 rushing/receiving yards, including a video game-like 12-295-2 receiving line against Central Michigan. Overall, he excelled as a receiver with 49 catches – good for second on the team. Per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Laube passed on transfer opportunities (and NIL deals) ahead of last fall. Still, his workload dropped (16 carries per game vs. 20.4), and he declined in yards per carry, yards after contact per attempt, and forced missed-tackle rate. Known as a high character kid, Laube ultimately wins with quick feet and a versatile skill set. He’s racked up a nation-leading 117 catches over the past two seasons. Going in the late sixth round is a bad sign, but Laube at least landed in a Raiders backfield with only Zamir White, Alexander Mattison, and Ameer Abdullah. We’ll see if he can push Abdullah for a passing-down role. Laube isn’t worth a pick in early best-ball drafts but is a viable flier in deeper dynasty leagues.
Raiders HC Antonio Pierce called newly signed RB Alexander Mattison and TE Harrison Bryant depth pieces. "We’re talking about guys that could come in and, at some point — don’t know when it’s gonna happen — but, give us that starter, that little jolt or juice that we can use," Pierce added. Bryant was never a legitimate threat to 2023 second-rounder Michael Mayer. The bigger takeaway here is that the Raiders evidently don't view Mattison as a competitor for the starting RB job. Mattison's play could change throughout the offseason, of course. And Vegas could still add a RB in the draft. But Zamir White's odds of opening the season as the starter continue to climb. He remains a solid value in early best-ball drafts. For more on White, check out 2024 Fantasy Football Breakouts.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Packers are expected to sign RB Josh Jacobs. It's a surprising development. Green Bay has been set to let RB AJ Dillon walk in free agency but had been talking with RB Aaron Jones to adjust his contract. This move could signal those talks have broken down and Jones will move on. That said, the Packers might also envision a potential Jacobs-Jones backfield. Either way, a healthy Jacobs should rebound vs. last year's struggles -- especially in a better offense. He sports upside into the top 12 at the position. Whether Jacobs' Underdog Fantasy ADP rises higher than its current RB14 level will likely depend on Jones' situation. Jacobs is worth a look in best ball drafts right now while the market tries to sort all that out. The Raiders, meanwhile, appear to have Zamir White in line to take over the lead job. He filled in admirably over the final four games last season and would be a fine fantasy option if he reaches the regular season in that role. There's still, of course, room for the Raiders to address their backfield in free agency and/or the draft. And it's worth remembering that White was a fourth-round pick who barely saw the field until Week 15 of his second season. Gauge your dynasty league to see if there's excitement over his opportunity and consider trading White if you can get a good return.
After their deal with Kliff Kingsbury fell through, the Raiders hired Luke Getsy as their new OC under HC Antonio Pierce. Getsy spent the last two years as OC in Chicago, where the Bears ranked in the bottom half of the league in both total yards and points. Those were run-heavy offenses, in large part because they were quarterbacked by Justin Fields. Getsy was the Packers' QB coach and passing-game coordinator before his stint with the Bears, so we'd expect a more balanced attack in Vegas. Unless, of course, the Getsy hire is a precursor to the Raiders swinging a trade for Fields.
Kliff Kingsbury has pulled his name out of consideration for the Raiders' OC job, according to his agent. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that contract talks between the two sides broke down late in the process. We'll see who the Raiders eventually land on as OC under HC Antonio Pierce. Kingsbury, meanwhile, is a "leading candidate" for the Commanders' OC job, per Schefter.
The Raiders are set to hire Kliff Kingsbury as their new OC under HC Antonio Pierce, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Kingsbury had an underwhelming tenure as Cardinals HC from 2019 to 2022, going 28-37-1 over those four seasons. He landed two of those teams inside the top 8 in total yards, but none cracked the top 10 in points. Kingsbury at least deployed fast-paced attacks, with three of his four offenses finishing top 3 in pace. We'll see exactly how Kingsbury meshes with the defensive-minded Pierce. The Raiders offense has some big questions to answer this offseason, with RB Josh Jacobs set to hit free agency and QB Jimmy Garoppolo a strong release candidate.
The Raiders removed the interim label from Antonio Pierce, naming the 45-year-old their new HC. Pierce took over as interim HC of a 3-5 Raiders team this past season and proceeded to go 5-4 the rest of the way. Vegas' points per game rose from 15.8 pre-Pierce to 22.9 after Pierce took over. While Pierce talked a lot about his love of running the rock, the Raiders' neutral run rate actually sunk from 43.1% to 41.4% in Pierce's nine games. He did ride a workhorse RB in all of those games, though -- first Josh Jacobs and then Zamir White. Jacobs is due to hit free agency in March, while White is signed for two more seasons. We'll see what the Raiders do in the backfield, and how Pierce fills out the rest of his coaching staff.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (quad) is out for Sunday's finale vs. the Broncos. He finishes the season with 805 rushing yards on a career-low 3.5 yards per carry across 13 games. Jacobs is set to hit free agency in March at 26 years old. RB Zamir White will close out the year as Vegas' feature back. He's racked up 59 carries and 11 targets over the last three weeks.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (quad) remained sidelined on Wednesday. Interim HC Antonio Pierce said that Jacobs will be a game-time decision for Sunday's finale vs. the Broncos, but we'd be surprised if he played. Look for Zamir White to get another game as Vegas' feature back.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (quad) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Colts. Zamir White gets another game as lead back after registering 17-69-1 and 22-145-0 rushing lines the past two weeks.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (quad) did not practice all week and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Colts. So Zamir White will get another game as lead back. He's ripped off 17-69-1 and 22-145-0 rushing lines the past two weeks and is a nice Week 17 fantasy play against Indianapolis' 30th-ranked RB defense.
Search
