As the Las Vegas Raiders prepare to face the Saints this Sunday, we take a look at three key players that will be featured with a particular eye on fantasy football. Which guys should you START, and which guys should you SIT?
(Note: you’ll see that a guy like Davante Adams isn’t featured — that’s not because he’s less important than these three, but just because we try to mix up the three guys we highlight depending on the matchup.)
Josh Jacobs: START
Duh.
With 563 total yards in his past three games — behind a pretty average offensive line, no less — Josh Jacobs has loudly announced his presence onto the fantasy football landscape. This, by the way, is from a guy that many people projected to be in a time-share with a rookie running back that would take his job by season’s end.
Not so fast, my friend.
This Sunday, Jacobs matches up against a Saints defense in the bottom third in yards per attempt allowed to running backs (21st) — including 92 yards on just 12 carries to Eno Benjamin last week. While it seems impossible for Jacobs to keep up this pace any longer, as long as he seems healthy, he’s an absolute must-start in every format imaginable.
Prediction: 105 Rushing Yards, 2 Touchdowns
Derek Carr: START
While Jacobs has been the workhorse and focal point of the offense of late, Carr is quietly putting together another nice season statistically — the only thing that has been missing so far are the touchdowns.
This Sunday, Carr faces a defense that has allowed 10 passing touchdowns while recording just one interception, and with defenses bound to fill the box to shut down Jacobs at some point — I like Carr’s chances for a big game in this one.
Prediction: 275 Yards, 2 Youchdowns, 0 Interceptions
Hunter Renfrow: SIT
In the two games Renfrow played before getting injured, he recorded 10 catches on 16 targets, but since returning, he has seen just seven targets total (good news: all seven have resulted in completions). I’m guessing Darren Waller’s injury has played a role in clogging up the middle for Renfrow, but he also might still be getting his legs under him after some time off with a concussion.
I think Renfrow — with last season being the exception — will ultimately settle into the type of player who is incredibly valuable on the field but who doesn’t exactly fill up the stat sheet for fantasy teams every week.
