The Las Vegas Raiders are throwing their hands up and starting over after firing their head coach and general manager. The former college roommates will now be together looking for a second chance as Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler leave Las Vegas. They leave behind a structure fire that the AFC West will use to get free wins for the foreseeable future.
REPORT: #Raiders owner Mark Davis was angry and volatile in recent weeks with Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, per @AlbertBreer
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 2, 2023
Davis met with players, and was aware of their unhappiness, and where the stars of the team stood on the direction of the football team.
From the… https://t.co/3OY7o1oRY7 pic.twitter.com/4Pd21Orz9C
For the fantasy and dynasty player, this creates quite a situation to monitor.
For as bad as the Raiders roster currently sits, there are dynasty assets that need to be evaluated. A new coaching staff with a new front office means there will likely be some major roster overhauling. Several key offensive weapons could be traded or lost to free agency, thus affecting their value.
As the Raiders fix their dynasty, it is important to get ahead of the game and protect yours. This piece will discuss the best head coaching fits, key roster decisions regarding their fantasy value, and a mock draft to round things out.
Las Vegas Raiders Coaching Candidates
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator
No offense has seen a more extensive facelift than the Detroit Lions in recent years. The biggest reason for it and Jared Goff’s rebirth is Johnson. He has shown he can scheme against a variety of defenses and find success with players at a variety of skill levels. The Raiders will likely be starting over at quarterback, and there is no one else in the NFL I would want coaching up a rookie at the position.
Eric Bieniemy, Washington Commanders Offensive Coordinator
Coming off two Super Bowls in Kansas City, questions surrounded if Bieniemy was just a benefactor of Patrick Mahomes. Through eight games in Washington, he has shown that he is more than that. The team is averaging 21.3 PPG and has scored over 30 points twice, including 31 against the Eagles a week ago. He may not be a popular choice, but he has finally proven that he has more than earned a chance to lead his own team.
Frank Smith, Miami Dolphins Offensive Coordinator
The best offense in the NFL statistically is the Miami Dolphins, so why not hire their offensive coordinator? The team is ranked first in points per game, yards per play, and total yards per game. Smith is a younger coach at just 42 years old, which could serve well with this younger roster. One last thing to remember is that Smith was the Las Vegas Raiders tight ends coach from 2018 to 2020, so he is someone the team is familiar with.
Raiders to Buy, Sell, and Hold
Buy: Davante Adams, WR
This year, Adams will cost people championships and money; make no mistake about it. Take advantage of that by acquiring him when possible, as he will be a significant part of this Las Vegas Raiders rebuild. A rookie quarterback will lean on him plenty next year and beyond, giving you a chance to buy low and sell high once this offense gets back in gear.
Sell: Josh Jacobs, RB
Sell running backs, sell running backs, and one last time, I will remind you to sell running backs. Jacobs will be a lesson for the next decade on selling high on a player, especially a running back. Jacobs has followed up a career year with career lows in yards per carry and yards per game. Someone will buy with the thought of him going somewhere in free agency and getting a fresh start. It is on you to take advantage of that.
Hold: Michael Mayer, TE
Mayer has flashed in moments this year for the Raiders and projects as a long-term option in the offense. His average depth of target this year is at 8.9, which has seen it be as high some weeks as 16. With a PFF grade of 66 received this year on just 17 targets, he isn’t likely to be someone he refuses to hold on to. Michael Mayer could be an easy add-in piece to other trades you complete the rest of the year.
Las Vegas Raiders Mock Draft
The NFL is most likely to be cooler on Penix Jr. than draft Twitter will be. Injury history will scare teams away, but they shouldn’t ignore what Penix has done in the last two years. His ability to push the ball downfield with Adams could produce serious numbers for each other.
Heavily investing in the offensive line allows for it to get back to its former self while also protecting its rookie passer. The Las Vegas Raiders could benefit by getting back to their old ways by winning in the trenches.
If the team moves on from Jacobs as you should, they need a replacement for him. TreVeyon Henderson is the athletic, high-upside runner this offense could utilize well in a new system. If it is any of the three coaching options from above, Henderson could be schemed into an RB1 season as a rookie.
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