The 2024 NFL Season is rapidly approaching. The season kicks off on Thursday, September 5 and every day through Monday, September 2 we’ll be going team-by-team as we preview the new season. Be sure to come back here every afternoon as we look at a new team and get your ready for the 2024 season. We’ll cover off-season changes, the fantasy prospects, and the prediction for how the team will fare this season.

Last year was really a tale of two seasons for the Raiders in 2023. It started as something of a slog and a house of horrors. But when Coach Josh McDaniels was fired mid-season, a strange turnaround began. Under Interim Head Coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders found some mojo. They benched veteran Jimmy Garoppolo and inserted rookie Aidan O’Connell. The Raiders finished 8-9, second in the AFC West, but pulled out some quality wins, including a late season victory over the Chiefs.

Now, Pierce has the permanent job as Head Coach. O’Connell returns—with new veteran competition—and this team will look to build on some of the momentum they had to end the 2023 NFL Season. Let’s dive in and check out the Raiders.

Off-Season Changes

The biggest loss for the Raiders was running back Josh Jacobs, who left in free agency for the Green Bay Packers. The team also saw defensive tackle Jerry Tillery leave for the Minnesota Vikings. Quarterback Garoppolo also left, taking a spot as the primary backup for the Los Angeles Rams. But it wasn’t all a one-way exchange for the Raiders, who added backfield depth with veteran Alexander Mattison. The Raiders also added receiver depth with former Charger Jalen Guyton. Finally, they signed veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew, but more on him in a minute.

In the draft, the Raiders made a splash by taking tight end Brock Bowers with the No. 13 overall pick. In three seasons at Georgia, Bowers caught 175 passes for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns. He could give the Raiders a big new weapon at tight end. The team added center Jackson Powers-Johnson in the Second Round and later in the draft grabbed a backfield prospect in Dylan Laube.

Fantasy Prospects

The Raiders have two position competitions heading into the season. The first is at quarterback, where O’Connell returns, and the team added veteran Minshew. Minshew was QB21 last season, leading the Colts to a 9-8 record. O’Connell, meanwhile, was 5-5 in his 10 starts, with 12 TDs and seven INTs. It figures to be a competition in camp. I think we could see both during the season, but I give the edge to Minshew at first. I think both end up in the QB3 range.

The other unknown is the backfield. Jacobs is gone, but third year back Zamir White is still there, as is Mattison. They pair figure to compete to start. Mattison was the guy for the Vikings in 2023 and it didn’t go well. He finished as RB38, ceding playing time at the end of the season. White, meanwhile, was a non-factor until Jacobs went down late. White started the last four games, averaging 15.2 points and finishing as RB9 over that stretch. I think White is the better back and will be the guy in 2024. I like him as an RB2, with Mattison as little but low-end flex value and depth.

Among receivers, the Raiders have a great pair in Davante Adams and Jakobi Myers. I suspect it will be a modest passing game, but Adams is a guy you want to have. He finished as WR10 in 2023. I’m not sure he finishes Top 12, but he’ll at least be a solid WR2 in 2024. Myers is more of a WR5 for me based on volume. I’m not interested in rostering any other Raiders receivers. Tight end is more interesting with Bowers. The Raiders also have second-year man Michael Mayer. I think Bowers is the TE you want, but I suspect he finishes in the TE2 range.

Prediction

I was happy the Raiders kept Pierce and I think there’s talent on the roster. But this team will have some growing pains. I don’t know that they have the answer at quarterback on the roster, and that will hold this team back. They played over their heads a bit in 2023 and I feel more comfortable in the five-to-eight-win range in 2024. I think they’ll be competitive but fall short of the playoffs.

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.