Fantasy Upside
Jalen Richard has an above-average offensive line and a head coach who is expected to lean on the running game more in 2018. In limited touches, he's been very efficient, though, averaging more than five yards per carry in two NFL seasons.
Fantasy Downside
Marshawn Lynch is still above Richard on the depth chart, as is Doug Martin. Even if one of those players goes down with an injury, Richard will likely find himself in a running back by committee.
2018 Bottom Line
Richard simply is not fantasy relevant unless Doug Martin and Marshawn Lynch are no longer in the picture, and even then, he'd likely split touches with DeAndre Washington. A path to fantasy-relevant touches just doesn't seem plausible.
Week 15 vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Raiders face the Cowboys in a must-win game for their playoff hopes. Oakland has an implied team total in Vegas below the top half of teams for Week 15. Plus, Jalen Richard is only averaging 6 touches per game. He's a handcuff to Marshawn Lynch. Nothing more.
Week 14 at Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs-Raiders game has the second-highest over/under in Vegas for Week 14, and the Raiders are unleashing Marshawn Lynch for a playoff push. His touches over the past two games: 29 and 19. That keeps Jalen Richard as nothing more than a handcuff.
Week 13 vs. New York Giants
The suspension of Michael Crabtree and injuries to Amari Cooper were good news for Marshawn Lynch's fantasy viability last week. He saw a season-high 29 touches, but none of that volume transferred to Jalen Richard. He's still just a handcuff and not a starting option.
Week 12 vs. Denver Broncos
Jalen Richard is a handcuff to Marshawn Lynch. When Lynch is healthy, he's not a starting consideration. That is the case for Week 12.
Week 11 vs. New England Patriots (game in Mexico City)
The Patriots defense is just 24th in our aFPA vs. RB rankings. Overall, they've allowed the eighth-most PPR points to opposing backs. However, before the bye, Marshawn Lynch received 16 touches, the most he's had since Week 1. Jalen Richard goes back to handcuff mode when Beast Mode is active.
Week 9 at Miami Dolphins
The enigma that is Marshawn Lynch returns from suspension this week, but this is a full-blown RBBC in Oakland. In a tough matchup against a top-10 Miami defense in our aFPA vs. RB rankings, Jalen Richard belongs on your bench in weeks Marshawn Lynch is active.
Week 8 at Buffalo Bills
With Marshawn Lynch suspended this week, it will reportedly be a 50-50 split between Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington. The numbers elude to that, too, in games before this season where Latavius Murray was out for the Raiders. However, the Bills are above average, ranked 11th in our aFPA vs. RB rankings. Consider Richard a FLEX option in a heavy bye week, who will most likely need a TD to return value.
Week 7 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Marshawn Lynch just isn't being used like the Seattle Beast Mode we all fell in love with before he retired. However, that doesn't mean the rest of this backfield is getting enough work to be fantasy relevant either. It's a full blown RBBC, with no useful options right now.
Week 6 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Marshawn Lynch is not getting a lot of work, but neither is Jalen Richard. He's nothing more than an attrition play if Lynch gets hurt.
