Silver And Black Pride

The fourth-round wide receiver was activated from the injured reserve and will be ready to make his season debut Sunday, clearing the path for potential fantasy relevance pending offensive role and target opportunity.

The second-round pick is on the injured reserve with a fractured forearm. His practice window is expected to open this week, signaling a potential near-term return but continued unavailability for immediate fantasy purposes.

The No. 6 overall draft pick played 72 percent of the snaps (up from 58 percent the prior week) but continued to struggle as a rusher with just 15 yards on eight carries, averaging less than three yards per carry in five games this season. However, he posted a season-high eight catches for 61 yards, tying for the league high among running backs, indicating his value is increasingly tied to receiving production rather than rushing.

Nacua was wide open for an easy catch and run in the red zone when the Rams ran a play-action fake out of 13 personnel; the source explains that Tommy Eichenberg stepped down to play the run and couldn't get to the flat in time to disrupt the pass, while Darien Porter was pulled out of the play by a tight end corner route, leaving Nacua with no coverage.

Davis Allen caught an easy touchdown pass against the Raiders in Week 7 when Treydan Stukes got fooled by a play-action fake; the source notes that Allen bluffed a block on Jeremy Chinn, causing the rookie cornerback to shift his eyes to the backfield, leaving Allen wide open in the end zone for an easy pitch-and-catch.

Higbee had multiple successful plays against the Raiders defense in Week 7, including a 15-yard gain on third-and-two where he broke toward the sideline and climbed the ladder on an out route; the source credits Higbee's success to Jeremy Chinn getting manipulated by a head fake and Darien Porter not getting deep enough to tighten the throwing window, leaving Higbee open in his area.

Corum thrived against the Raiders defense in Week 7, recording multiple chunk runs including a 17-yard gain and a 5-yard run, exploiting the Raiders' inability to stop 13 personnel runs and tight formations; the source notes the Rams had 25 rushes for 111 yards (4.4 ypc) and 64% success rate out of 13 personnel, with Corum benefiting from poor gap discipline and missed tackles by Raiders defenders including Eric Stokes and Jeremy Chinn.

Wide receiver Jamari Thrash was released from the Raiders' practice squad as part of the roster moves following the team's four-game losing streak.

Wide receiver Dont'e Thornton, a 2025 fourth-round draft pick, was activated from injured reserve to replace Jonah Laulu on the 53-man roster and will make his season debut Sunday against the New York Jets. He suffered a hamstring injury early in training camp.

Speedy wide receiver demonstrated significant playmaking ability and yards-after-catch (YAC) potential in the second half, yet remains underutilized in the Raiders offense. Tucker recorded a 41-yard catch-and-run on a short reception and added a 37-yard catch-and-run touchdown after making a man miss, showcasing the ability to create explosive plays when given opportunities. The source suggests he should be more than an afterthought in the offense, implying his current role does not match his demonstrated skill set.

Despite being tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns, Cousins has a concerning accuracy issue: he hasn't been hitting wide-open receivers when they have presented themselves. The source notes these are plays where a rookie quarterback would 'let it rip' and convert to touchdowns 9 out of 10 times, suggesting Cousins is leaving significant production on the field and missing easy opportunities.

Ineffective as an every-down wide receiver despite finishing with six receptions for 73 yards; the source characterizes him as a good experiment in spurts but not the answer for full-time receiver duties. Most of his catches came in junk-time plays when the defense had eased off press coverage, indicating the production was inflated by game script rather than genuine offensive effectiveness. The source suggests the issue is partly Kubiak's inability to call plays where receivers can beat man coverage.

Superior running back option being severely underutilized by head coach Klint Kubiak; averaging 4.9 yards per carry but kept on the bench in favor of the ineffective Ashton Jeanty. The source notes that every time Washington touches the football and clears the line of scrimmage, it is clear he is the better option at running back. On a team with a non-existent rushing attack, keeping Washington on the bench instead of switching Jeanty to a complementary role is hurting the team's offensive efficiency.

Former first-round draft pick (#6 overall) is underperforming relative to draft pedigree and being used ineffectively; averaging 2.9 yards per carry on the season but just 1.9 in this game against the Rams. The source compares him unfavorably to Jalen Richard, suggesting he is not the generational talent he was billed as. However, Jeanty has proved effective as a pass catcher, recording a season-high eight receptions on eight targets (including a 22-yard sideline catch and 15-yard TD), indicating he is better suited to a complementary pass-catching role rather than a featured runner.

Cousins could be a legitimately valuable trade chip at the deadline despite his age (38). Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr floated the possibility of trading Cousins for a mid-round pick given his league-leading touchdown passes, though Michael Penix JR expresses skepticism that a trade would actually occur. Potential trade destinations would require teams on the playoff bubble with unstable QB situations (Ravens, Falcons mentioned as possibilities, though both have complications). However, most winning teams are unlikely to disrupt their situation mid-season with an outside QB.

Despite Raiders' four-game losing streak, Cousins has performed well statistically: ranks third in passing yards (1,877) and leads the league in touchdown passes (16). At age 38, he has shown limitations in arm strength and mobility, but the team's struggles are not solely attributable to his play. Kubiak confirmed Cousins will start Week 8 against the Jets, and he could remain the starter for at least two more games if the Raiders win this weekend and stay mathematically in playoff contention.

No. 1 overall pick remains on the bench despite Raiders' four-game losing streak and mounting pressure for his first start. Kubiak confirmed Cousins remains QB1 for Week 8 against the Jets. Debate centers on optimal timing: immediate starts for experience versus waiting for softer schedule after Week 13 bye, given upcoming matchups against top-12 defenses (49ers, Broncos, Browns) and the risk of throwing a rookie into difficult situations early.

The Raiders drafted Mike Washington in the fourth round using a pick acquired in the Geno Smith trade with Seattle. Washington was selected as part of Las Vegas's strategy to move up 12 spots in the draft, indicating the team viewed him as a priority addition to the running back room.

Smith has rebounded significantly for the Jets (2-5 record) after a disastrous 2024 Raiders season (19 TDs/17 INTs, 3-14 team). With the Jets, Smith is completing 70% of his passes with 10 TDs and just 2 INTs, demonstrating improved efficiency and decision-making despite the team's poor record. His interceptions have come only in the past two games, suggesting recent volatility but overall better performance than his Raiders tenure.

The sixth-round pick played a season-low three snaps. He was targeted once with no catches. He did have two punt returns for 26 yards.

The fourth-round pick played 18 snaps after being a game-day decision with foot and back injuries. He ended up 27 yards on six carries with a nifty 21-yard run and should continue to get more work this week.

The No. 1 overall pick has only played in Week 5 in a mop-up role. If the losses pile up, he may get a chance to play.

Josh Jacobs returned in Week 7 after being removed from the Commissioner's exempt list, posting underwhelming ground stats (11 carries, 36 yards, 3.3 YPC) in the Packers' 20-17 loss to Detroit. While he did catch 5 passes for 55 yards and 1 receiving TD, including an impressive 25-yard sideline touchdown, Jacobs had a costly drop in the end zone that would have given Green Bay a 6-7 point lead with 3:30 remaining. His case remains under NFL review for a potential suspension following a plea deal on two misdemeanor charges.

Geno Smith posted solid Week 7 stats (23/30, 76.7%, 287 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) in the Jets' 28-25 loss to Miami. The source highlights an upcoming revenge game narrative as the Raiders head to New York next week, with both teams desperately needing a win to keep playoff hopes alive after Sunday losses. This matchup carries fantasy relevance given Smith's prior connection to Las Vegas.

Wilson was visibly frustrated on the sidelines during the Jets' loss to Miami in Week 7, giving quarterback Geno Smith an earful with the team down four points in the fourth quarter. Despite Smith having a decent game (23/30, 287 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT), Wilson received only three targets, which appears to have been the source of his frustration. The Jets' loss to a winless Dolphins team compounded the issue.

The Raiders have until Wednesday to decide whether to activate Thornton from injured reserve or keep him on IR for the remainder of the season, indicating an imminent roster decision with significant implications for his availability.

Bech is expected to begin practicing this week after spending four weeks on injured reserve with a broken forearm. He will have three weeks to ramp up before becoming available for games, indicating a near-term return to action.

The No. 1 overall draft pick remains the backup to Kirk Cousins. Kubiak stated Mendoza will 'eventually' play but the time is not now, with the Raiders prioritizing winning in their playoff hunt over accelerating the rookie's development.

Kubiak confirmed Cousins as the Raiders' starter and explicitly ended speculation about a potential change to rookie Fernando Mendoza, stating 'There is no controversy here.' Cousins is playing well; the source attributes offensive struggles to run-game execution rather than QB performance. With the 3-4 Raiders still in playoff contention, Cousins will remain the starter.

Cousins posted arguably his worst performance of the season in Week 7 against the Rams. Dropping back 48 times and airing it out down 28-6 inflated his box score, but the underlying metrics reveal significant struggles: the Rams blitzed on 27.1% of his dropbacks, resulting in a 46.2% completion percentage (6 of 13) as his lack of arm strength and mobility show up under pressure. More critically, calls for backup Fernando Mendoza to take over are intensifying, signaling a potential shift in the Raiders' quarterback focus for the remainder of the season.

Laube has emerged as a productive kick returner for the Raiders despite limited offensive snaps. In Week 7, he returned the opening kickoff for 36 yards and the next for 42 yards, setting up short fields for the offense. For the season, Laube has accumulated 435 kick return yards (tied for 13th in the NFL) and leads all returners with at least seven returns with a 31.1-yard average.

Rams backup TE caught two red zone touchdown passes against the Raiders defense; Allen benefited from the Rams' 13-personnel scheme (one RB, three TEs) which the Raiders' defensive adjustments could not contain, as the team went 4/5 on red zone opportunities in the first half alone.

Rams TE, listed as a game-time decision, scored a red zone touchdown and dominated the Raiders defense; the source notes Nacua 'did whatever he felt like as he ran around virtually uncovered and through anyone who dreamed of attempting to tackle him,' highlighting his effectiveness in the Rams' 13-personnel scheme where the Raiders' undersized cornerbacks could not make an impact.

Rams RB rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders defense; Corum was part of a Rams rushing attack that totaled 38 carries for 199 yards and two touchdowns, benefiting from the Rams' 13-personnel scheme (one RB, three TEs) which the Raiders' undersized defensive line and defensive scheme could not contain.

Rams RB rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders defense, which had surrendered 35 points total in the game; Williams was part of a Rams rushing attack that totaled 38 carries for 199 yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Rams' 13-personnel scheme (one RB, three TEs) against undersized Raiders defensive line.

Washington led the Raiders running backs with six carries for 27 yards in a game where the Rams' ground game dominated with 199 yards on 38 carries (5.2 yards per carry) compared to Las Vegas' 48 yards on 17 carries (2.8 yards per carry).

The source notes that Week 8 may be a get-right game for current New York Jets quarterback and former Raider Geno Smith, as the free-falling Raiders hit the road to face the Jets (2-5) on a two-game losing skid.

Laube remains a bright spot as the Raiders' primary kick returner, producing 78 yards (long of 42) on two opportunities against the Rams, showcasing his value in the return game.

Bowers was the Raiders' second-most productive pass catcher with six receptions for 73 yards, trailing only Tre Tucker's 103 yards in a game where the Rams' defense limited the Raiders' offensive efficiency.

Jeanty added eight carries for 15 yards while also contributing eight receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown, including a well-designed 15-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter that briefly sparked a Raiders comeback attempt.