Las Vegas Raiders Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Raiders selected Edge Tyree Wilson with the seventh pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Wilson’s college career started slowly, with a redshirt season and transfer from Texas A&M to Texas Tech before he became a starter. He broke out over the past two seasons, totaling 27.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks over that span. Wilson was on pace for easily his best college campaign in 2022 before a foot fracture cost him the final three games. That recovery will be worth watching for his 2023 IDP outlook. He goes to a Las Vegas defense without an immediate starting need on the edge. Bet on Wilson working into the rotation with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones initially, with a chance to take playing time from Jones this year. Don't be surprised if the rookie starts slowly, though. Read more about Wilson in our early IDP rookie rankings.

When asked about the team's QB situation on Tuesday, Falcons HC Arthur Smith shared the plan is for Desmond Ridder to open training camp as the starter. Smith also spoke about QB Taylor Heinicke, the former Commanders signal-caller who inked a two-year deal with the Falcons in free agency. "The chemistry in the quarterback room is important, as we expect Desmond to take the next step," said Smith. "But we also have [Heinicke] who can go in and win you football games and be ready to play." Reading between the lines a little bit, it sounds as though this could be a camp battle in which Heinicke would have an opportunity to win the job if Ridder slips. That said, we can't put too much stock into vague statements like this in late March. We'll surely have our attention on this situation should it evolve into something more into the summer. If nothing else, dynasty managers could consider throwing out some feelers to acquire Heinicke on the cheap in superflex leagues, but that's about all there is here.

The Dolphins are re-signing RB Raheem Mostert on a two-year, $5.6 million agreement, according to multiple reports. It's a bigger contract than the one-year, $2.125 million pact that brought Mostert in last season. But the annual average is similar. (ESPN's Adam Schefter adds that incentives give the contract a max value of $7.6 million.) Mostert opened last season splitting work with Chase Edmonds and finished it splitting with Jeff Wilson Jr. Despite that, Mostert tallied career highs in most categories while missing just one game. We're expecting further moves in the Miami backfield, which will affect Mostert's fantasy outlook. But he's a fine value right now at his late-round best ball ADP.

The Raiders will be signing WR Jakobi Meyers to a three-year, $33 million deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The pact will reportedly include $21 million in guaranteed money. This fit seems somewhat odd. Meyers does reunite with HC Josh McDaniels, who served as New England's OC for three of Meyers' four seasons there. But the 26-year-old (until Nov. 9) wideout joins an offense that already sports WR Davante Adams, TE Darren Waller, and WR Hunter Renfrow with annual average salaries over $10 million. Meyers also ran 64.5% of his routes with the Patriots from the slot, according to Pro Football Focus. That's also Renfrow's primary position (69.7% of career routes; 86% in 2022). We're assuming Meyers will be the second wideout (with Adams) in two-WR alignments, which will keep Renfrow's ceiling down. Meyers likely could have found more target share available elsewhere. It is, at least, a solid corps of receivers for new Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo. That said, we're not excited for the fantasy outlook on the QB, Meyers, or Renfrow.

The Seahawks and QB Geno Smith have reportedly reached an agreement on a three-year, $105 million contract extension. The 32-year-old finished the 2022 NFL season with Pro Bowl honors and the Comeback Player of the Year Award after he spent several seasons serving as a backup. It'll be tough for Smith to maintain his fantasy production from last year (QB9 in points per game with 17.9), but this deal locks him in with the likes of WRs D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett for the foreseeable future. We've bumped up Smith to QB18 in our dynasty rankings as a result of this news. He'll be a quality QB2 in superflex leagues. As for Metcalf and Lockett, their dynasty values are relatively the same. Continuity at QB does eliminate some of the risk associated with Metcalf in dynasty formats if anything. We don't yet know the details of Smith's contract and if the Seahawks would be able to maneuver out of the deal should the franchise choose to explore younger options at the position. But for now, it's great news for a player with a great story.

TE Michael Mayer measured in at nearly 6’5 and 249 pounds at the NFL Combine. Mayer wasn’t a standout tester, posting a 4.70 forty and a 32.5” vertical. No major surprise there, though. Mayer is a contested catch specialist who exited Notre Dame with 180 catches across 3 seasons. He still projects as a day 1 NFL starter.

The Falcons might already have their starting QB for 2023, if owner Arthur Blank's assessment is meaningful. "We're very excited about Desmond Ridder," Blank said this week, according to NFL.com. "I think from the time he came into training camp, he showed great capabilities as a leader amongst the rookies and then amongst the vets." We're not talking these words to signal that Ridder will definitely lead Atlanta for the coming season. But he's the current favorite to open Week 1, just by virtue of already being on the team. If you're taking the 2022 rookie in early fantasy football drafts, though, you shouldn't do so until late. The Falcons carry the 8th overall pick in the NFL Draft and could be in range for one of the top incoming QBs.

Seahawks QB Geno Smith told Sirius XM NFL Radio on Saturday that he’s in talks with the team on a new contract and that things are “looking very good.” We’ve been assuming Smith would re-sign, as the move just makes sense for both sides. We’ll be tracking the process, of course. If you’re jumping into early best-ball drafts — or managing your dynasty rosters — treat Smith as though he’ll start for Seattle in 2023. The length of his new contract should help clarify how long he might stay beyond that

Seahawks QB Geno Smith tallied 25 completions on 35 attempts with 2 TDs and 1 INT in Saturday's Wild Card loss vs. the 49ers. The veteran led a stout effort all game but unfortunately came up short. WR DK Metcalf found himself on the receiving end of both of Smith's scoring passes in addition to 10 catches for 136 yards. Smith expressed his desire to return to Seattle in post-game comments. After leading a Seahawks team to a postseason bid in the aftermath of a trade that sent QB Russell Wilson to the Broncos, it would be a great story should Smith return.

Speaking after Saturday’s Wild Card loss, Seahawks QB Geno Smith expressed a desire to finish his career in Seattle. It’s a good reminder that the 32-year-old is on track for free agency. If Seattle opts to get younger, note that they have the 5th overall pick from Denver and the Russell Wilson trade. Our hunch, though, is GM John Schneider will make a good-faith effort to re-sign Smith.

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (thumb) didn't practice all week and has been ruled out for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Bills. This news swings the door wide open for RB Jeff Wilson Jr. to lead the backfield in this contest. The Bills' defense has been tough all season and ranks 3rd-best in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA over the last 4 weeks. Even so, Wilson Jr. projects to have enough volume sans Mostert to be an effective fantasy option in playoff formats.

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (thumb) missed practice for the 2nd-straight day on Thursday. Teammate RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (illness) upgraded to full practice. There's still one more day of practice left for Mostert to log some participation in advance of Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Bills. Be sure to keep an eye out for updates tomorrow.

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert suffered a broken thumb in Sunday's win over the Jets. He garnered 11 carries and 2 targets in that one before leaving in the 3rd quarter. The injury doesn't necessarily mean Mostert will miss the Wild Card game against the Bills, but it's tough to imagine him getting significant backfield work with 1 full hand. Mostert's likely absence boosts the upside of Jeff Wilson Jr. for this weekend. We're certainly not betting on Miami getting to Round 2, though.

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert is questionable to return for Sunday's game vs. the Jets with a thumb injury. We'll update his status when we know more. Mostert's absence leaves Miami's backfield to Jeff Wilson.

Update: Mostert has been ruled out.

Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers (shoulder) is active for today’s game vs. the Bills. He’s been playing through this shoulder injury for a few weeks and shouldn’t be limited today.

Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers (shoulder) is officially listed as questionable for Week 18 vs. the Bills after limited practice all week. Fellow WR DeVante Parker (concussion) logged full practice on Friday and has been removed from the final injury report. It seems as though we'll see Parker on the field on Sunday for the first time since Week 14 vs. the Cardinals. That said, Meyers is the player of the two who carries the most fantasy value. He's played through this shoulder injury for a few weeks now and we feel pretty confident that he'll suit up. The Bills' defense ranks as the 11th-best matchup for WRs in adjusted fantasy points allowed this season, and Meyers carries a team-leading 27% target share over the last 2 weeks. Consider Meyers a solid WR2 in Week 18.

The Athletic's Vic Tafur believes there's a "good chance [Raiders RB Zamir] White will get his first serious action of the season" vs. the Chiefs on Saturday. RB Josh Jacobs is listed as questionable with hip and oblique injuries and missed Wednesday and Thursday's practices due to a personal issue. The Raiders have nothing to play for in the finale, so it'd make sense for them to get a look at White -- especially with Jacobs set to hit free agency in March. White is only worth considering in Saturday DFS contests, but Jacobs' floor and ceiling is lower in Week 18 than it's been all season.

Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers (shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity again on Thursday. It's also worth noting that WR DeVante Parker (concussion) has now practiced limited on back-to-back days. This is certainly encouraging for Parker as he's been sidelined since Week 14. Friday's injury report will give us official designations for the pair of pass-catchers ahead of Week 18 vs. the Bills. Check back tomorrow for further analysis.

Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday. This same injury has plagued Meyers for a few weeks now. He's yet to miss a game because of it, so we feel pretty good about Meyers' availability for Week 18 vs. the Bills. We'll keep track of this in case anything changes.

Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers aggravated his shoulder injury in Sunday's win over the Dolphins. He told reporters afterward that he's "fine" and expects to be ready for next weekend's finale vs. the Bills. We'll track his status throughout the coming week.