Las Vegas Raiders: Pass Catcher Breakdown

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Premium, Vanek Premium, Wide Receiver, WR Breakdown

Las Vegas Raiders: Pass Catcher Breakdown The Raiders promoted Antonio Pierce to head coach midway through last season, and his success earned him the role permanently. Under Pierce, the team went 5-4 and developed a very physical identity. Before his promotion, the Raiders hadn’t rushed for over 100 yards in any game and had turnovers in seven straight games. With Pierce, they rushed for over 100 yards in six of the final nine games, highlighted by a Christmas victory in Kansas City with just 48 passing yards.

The Raiders added Luke Getsy from the Bears this offseason as the offensive coordinator, signed Gardner Minshew in free agency, and drafted Brock Bowers in the first round. They lost Josh Jacobs in free agency, but to end last season, Zamir White showcased the ability to handle plenty of touches and be productive. I know many do not like Getsy as a play-caller, but I am intrigued because they have a weak schedule at the end of the year and are a very cheap group.

Projected Schematic Changes in 2024 With Getsy at OC, we're going to see a shift in the Raiders' offensive scheme this season, especially with the increased use of 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE, 1 WR). They didn't run it much last year because the roster didn't quite fit, but the new HC Pierce is all about bringing that physicality. Given the current roster, this is how the Raiders are going to win games.

I don't think they'll completely abandon 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR), but expect a split similar to what Green Bay did last season, with 36% of their snaps coming from 12 personnel. They can even bulk up in 11 personnel by putting Michael Gallup out wide and slotting Jakobi Meyers or Davante Adams inside.

This team will not have a top-tier offense, so I wouldn’t load up on it, but Gardner Minshew isn't a bad option for fantasy football. He has no problem forcing the ball to his top targets, which could mean good things for the Raiders' pass catchers.

Who will be Minshew’s Favorite? Let's take a closer look at Minshew’s favorite targets for the upcoming season, breaking down who might see the most action and why:

Target 1: Davante Adams, My Rank: WR13 Adams remains one of the elite wide receivers in football, known for his effortless ability to get open. With Getsy, who worked with Adams for three seasons in Green Bay, Adams was on pace for 180 targets per season despite some injury issues. While I don't foresee Adams reaching that target volume at 32 years old, I do anticipate around 150 targets, and being more efficient than last season with Gardner Minshew at quarterback. The slight dip in targets compared to recent seasons is due to the increased competition in the receiver room, the strongest Adams has faced since his early years in Green Bay. Currently drafted as the WR13 overall on Underdog, Adams is a solid pick for Bestball formats targeting playoff weeks, but I wouldn't prioritize him in redraft leagues.

Target 2: Brock Bowers, My Rank: TE8 At just 17, Brock Bowers emerged as a standout SEC talent with 56 receptions, 882 yards, and 13 touchdowns, making him one of the most exceptional tight end prospects in college football. His versatility shows with 42.3% of his routes from the slot, averaging 2.84 yards per route, and an even more impressive 4.10 yards per route in-line. His diverse route tree, particularly averaging over 4.00 yards per go route from both positions, highlights his ability to get open and make significant plays. For a detailed analysis of his slot and in-line performance, check the graphics below, showcasing why Bowers is considered a top prospect. For fantasy, I'll have a lot of Brock Bowers based on his current draft position, as I rate him three positional spots higher than consensus.

Target 3: Jakobi Meyers, My Rank: WR69 Jakobi Meyers is the third target in this offense, reflecting his position as the team's third most talented pass catcher. Meyers is a savvy receiver with a strong understanding of the game, ensuring he produces when called upon. However, I would project 80-90 targets and that’s not going to be a league-winning player for you in fantasy.

Target 4: Does Not Matter While I appreciate Minshew, I don't believe he's worth targeting a fourth option from this offense. Players like Michael Mayer, Michael Gallup, and Tre Tucker would need multiple injuries ahead of them to become relevant. With only one injury, the target share would likely just concentrate among the remaining top receivers.

Summary: Under Coach Getsy, the Raiders' offensive strategy will shift significantly, with Davante Adams expected to remain a key target despite increased competition and a slight dip in target volume. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers is a standout prospect poised to make an immediate impact, especially in the red zone. Jakobi Meyers will provide reliable production but with limited upside. Beyond these top three, it's unlikely any other receivers will emerge as significant fantasy contributors without multiple injuries affecting the depth chart. Gardner Minshew's presence as quarterback ensures that Adams and Bowers, in particular, will see substantial opportunities to produce.