Week 14 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Raiders have an implied team total of fewer than 21 points, among the bottom ten teams in the league this week. The Steelers defense has had its struggles, but recently, that has come against offenses much better than Oakland's. Pittsburgh still ranks top 10 in aFPA to WRs. We are not comfortable starting any Oakland wideout in the fantasy playoffs, as none rank inside our top 40 PPR rankings at the position. That's what happens when a unit of seven receivers posts just two double-digit PPR performances over the past four weeks.
Week 13 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City is ranked in the top 10 in aFPA to WRs. A very high over/under in this game keeps the Raiders from the bottom teams in implied team total for Week 13, suggesting some potential negative game script to bolster a pedestrian Oakland passing attack. We just can't trust these Oakland receivers at all for the rest of the season. Over the past month, seven Raiders receivers have combined for just one double-digit PPR game (Brandon LaFell, 10.9, Week 11). That is pathetic passing game production. Stay away from this entire unit in Week 13.
Week 12 at Baltimore Ravens
The Raiders travel across the country as a double-digit underdog, tied for the lowest implied team total of Week 12 at just 16 points. Baltimore also ranks top five in aFPA to WRs. Jordy Nelson is questionable this week, after beginning the practice week as a limited participant. The targets without him last week to Raiders receivers went: Seth Roberts 7, Marcell Ateman 5, Brandon LaFell (on IR now) 3, Dwayne Harris 0. If there's a desperation starter in this group in very deep leagues, it would be Roberts based on that target distribution, but given all the above factors, we wouldn't start any Raiders receiver in Week 12.
Week 11 at Arizona Cardinals
The Raiders are so bad at this point in the season that Oakland is a 5.5-point underdog to a two-win team this week. The Raiders implied team total of 17.5 points is also the lowest on the slate this week by a full two points. That's not a recipe for fantasy success. The Cardinals are sixth in the league in aFPA to WRs but only 27th against RBs, potentially foreshadowing a run-heavy attack for Oakland this week. That doesn't bode well for a receiving group where none of the wideouts have averaged five targets per game over the past two weeks. Running back Jalen Richard and tight end Jared Cook are the primary pass catchers in this horrific offense. No Oakland receiver is a fantasy consideration.
Dwayne Harris got a little more play as a slot receiver last year with Victor Cruz missing the entire season, but he still only managed 36 catches, 396 yards, and four touchdowns. This year, he’ll be vying with Cruz and rookie second-round pick Sterling Shephard for snaps opposite Odell Beckham Jr. and will likely slide back to exclusively a return specialist. An injury could force Harris back into a sub-package receiving role, but unless you’re in a league that has a separate slot for returners, there’s no reason to have Harris on your roster or to be targeting him in fantasy drafts at this time.
Week 16 vs. Minnesota
Dwayne Harris should start this week against the Vikings with Odell Beckham Jr. suspended. Regardless of Beckham’s situation though, Harris is too risky to count on in most fantasy leagues. He had two catches and nine yards last week against the Panthers, and while he may get an uptick in targets this week, he’s not likely to put up good enough numbers to warrant any serious fantasy consideration. Leave him on waivers.
Week 14 vs. Miami
Dwayne Harris has earned more and more playing time in recent weeks, but he’s still putting up consistent enough fantasy numbers to warrant adding him to a roster. He had only one catch on two targets last week for eight yards, and unless he gets another special teams touchdown like he did last week, he has limited value in most leagues. Fantasy owners should leave him on waivers in league formats that don’t give points for return yardage.
Week 10 vs. New England
Dwayne Harris only had one catch for a single yard last week against Tampa Bay, though he was targeted three times in the game. Harris is mostly used in the return game, and while Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle are healthy, his value is very limited. He should remain on waivers in most leagues.
Week 9 at Tampa Bay
Dwayne Harris had three catches for 37 yards last week against the Saints. He was targeted seven times, which was good to see, but that may have been more to do with the 41 pass attempts by the Giants then with an advancement by Harris in the offense. He still finished fourth on the team in targets.
This week, Harris faces a Bucs defense that has given up 17 touchdowns passes this season. But as the third WR on the depth chart, he’s still too risky to bet on. Fantasy owners should leave him on waivers.
Week 6 at Philadelphia
Dwayne Harris had six catches for 72 yards last week against the 49ers, as the Giants threw the ball 51 times in a narrow victory. Harris has played well in his role as the Giants WR3, finally getting an opportunity after years of being strictly a return specialist.
This week, he has a nice matchup against the Eagles, but it’s hard to count on the Giants throwing the ball so much again. As the third WR on the team, he’s too risky for fantasy owners to use. He likely should remain on waivers in most leagues.
