The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

Things didn’t work out as planned for Josh McDaniels in his first season in Las Vegas. The team competed for a while, but by the end of the season veteran quarterback Derek Carr was sent home and the Raiders fell well short of the playoffs. Can things turn out differently in 2023?

Off-Season Changes

The biggest change comes at quarterback. Carr is gone, released and off to the New Orleans Saints. But Carr wasn’t the only offensive player to head out, as tight end Foster Moreau also signed with the Saints and receiver Mack Hollins signed with the Falcons. Meanwhile, the Raiders made a move to trade star tight end Darren Waller to the Giants.

While plenty of players made their way out, the Raiders added pieces, too. Notably, the team signed Jakobi Myers at receiver. Myers caught 235 passes for 2,758 yards and eight touchdowns in four seasons with the Patriots. He pairs nicely with Davante Adams. The Raiders also drafted Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer, who caught 180 passes for 2,099 yards in three seasons with the Fighting Irish. The team signed Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard to add tight end depth, too.

The biggest move was to pick up a new quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo. In his time with the 49ers, Garoppolo was 38-17 as a starter, taking the 49ers to a Super Bowl and another NFC Championship Game berth. He also struggled with injuries and struggled to stay on the field. He has experience in McDaniels’ scheme from his time with the Patriots, but it’s a bit of a risk.

Fantasy Impact

The questions begin at quarterback. Garoppolo has been successful in the past, but will he be there all season? Even if so, he’s likely more of a QB2. I like him better as a QB3. The Raiders placed the Franchise Tag on running back Josh Jacobs. He had a career year and finished as RB3 in 2022. If he’s there, I think Jacobs is a good bet to be an RB1. He’s currently not happy with the tag, so it’s a situation that’s worth watching.

If Jacobs was dynamite in the backfield, Adams was the star as a receiver. He finished as WR3. He caught 100 passes for 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns despite uneven quarterback play. He’s a WR1. Myers comes in familiar with the scheme. He’s an under-rated player and I like him as a WR3. Hunter Renfrow struggled with injuries last season and feels like an end of roster bet at best. I like Mayer long-term at tight end, but I think there will be some growing. He’s a TE2 for me this season.

Prediction

The Raiders finished 6-11 in 2022, well out of the playoffs after making it in 2021. Can they rebound? Some of the pieces are there but I’m not sold on the whole package. I think the Raiders will be in the five-to-eight-win range, missing the post-season again.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.