After brief stints with the Vikings, Cowboys, and Patriots, Andre Holmes found a home in Oakland. And down the stretch last year, he emerged as a useful player for the Raiders, catching 25 passes for 431 yards and one touchdown over the final seven games of the season. At various points during the offseason, Holmes was gaining publicity as a potential sleeper. That hype has died down, but can Holmes generate another round of buzz?
Fantasy Upside
At 6’4” and 210 pounds, the speedy Holmes looks the part. None of the other Raider receivers resemble a true number one target. In other words, while Holmes is not occupying a prime location on the Oakland depth chart at the moment, he can’t be counted out as an impact player in 2014.
Fantasy Downside
Andre’s low position on the totem pole is disconcerting, but the real problem comes with simply being on the Raiders, a bad team that will either be starting a raw rookie in Derek Carr or washed-up interception machine Matt Schaub at quarterback. Were he lower on the depth chart in places like Green Bay or Denver, fantasy owners would still have to pay attention. But in Oakland, number one receivers are lucky to be fantasy role players.
Bottom Line
If the Raiders somehow turn out to be better than expected and Holmes finds a groove, you may see someone pitch a reality show called “The Free Agent Adventures of Andre.” Otherwise, he will toil in anonymity like most on the Oakland roster.
