Las Vegas history at quarterback has been a rollercoaster for two decades, capped by JaMarcus Russell’s bust and Derek Carr’s steady-but-not-championship run. The move to Geno Smith aims to stabilize the present, but aging arms mean the Raiders must plan for a future pivot. The whispers point to Anthony Richardson as a long-term fix, with the Raiders potentially acquiring him to learn behind a veteran signal-caller and grow into a franchise QB.

Richardson’s fanfare is undeniable: elite traits and ceiling, yet a need for development. Indianapolis could be open to moving him if the price fits, especially as Pete Carroll’s admiration and Richardson’s Florida pedigree complicate the market. Aidan O’Connell could be part of a Colts-return package, giving Oakland a future asset, while a Daniel Jones-led Colts scenario remains a provocative what-if. In fantasy terms, this mix reshapes late-round QB upside and rookie exposure timelines.

For fantasy rosters, the immediate bet is on Geno Smith stabilizing a high-floor offense this year, while Richardson’s value hinges on a landing spot that lets him sit and develop. If the Raiders land Richardson, dynasty and taxi-squad plans should shift toward handcuffing him to a veteran with a clear path to playing time. O’Connell’s trade chatter adds a touch of upside risk to Raiders depth, but also potential draft capital gospel for long-term viability.

Six offenses are pegged as potential busts this fantasy season in a brand-new Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, with the discussion centering on ADP versus Wisdom of Crowd projections and what that means for the top fantasy names on those teams. The Raiders, Cardinals, Vikings, Falcons, Seahawks, Dolphins, and Jets loom as high-draft risks, while the conversation zeroes in on the plausible paths these units could take to underperform and how that shapes decisions for Week 1 and beyond. The chat keeps a critical eye on efficiency, pace, and matchup turbulence that could mute expected ceilings for star skill players.

Raiders, Cardinals, and the Vikings plus Falcons come into focus as the clearest risk clusters, where coaching decisions, quarterback health, or architectural shifts could curb big-play upside. Seattle and Miami are questioned for tempo and play-calling, while the Jets are scrutinized for how quickly their upgraded offense might gel. Fantasy managers are reminded not to chase ADP blindly and to consider safer pivots and smarter rostering moves as the season unfolds.

Six late-round lottery tickets headline Thunder Dan Paylo's 2025 fantasy football sleepers, with clear paths to breakout if things break right in the offense. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Woody Marks, Dont'e Thornton Jr., Elijah Arroyo, Adonai Mitchell, and Isaac TeSlaa are highlighted as high-upside targets you can realistically snag in the final rounds for upside rather than roster fill.

Strategy centers on exploiting depth-chart openings: Croskey-Merritt could gain touches if Washington moves on from Brian Robinson Jr.; Marks steps in as a potential early-down/backup weapon for Houston; Thornton Jr. profiles as a big-field WR who could emerge as Raiders’ WR2; Arroyo offers big-play upside at tight end with Noah Fant gone; Mitchell and TeSlaa carry upside as late-round bets in Indy and Detroit, respectively, if their quarterbacks improve or injuries create opportunities.

The piece stresses the draft’s middle rounds as the frontier, where knowing top handcuffs and rookie depth charts matters. Autodraft aside, these sleepers form a cohesive late-round group that could anchor fantasy rosters in weeks to come, especially in best-ball and superflex formats, where volatility can translate to weekly rewards.

Brock Bowers’ Raiders tenure is centered on a tight-end rotation with Michael Mayer, a hallmark of Chip Kelly’s offenses. Two preseason games showed both on the field with starters in lengthy 12/13 personnel looks, but early game usage suggested Mayer handled more inline and early-down work while Bowers shined on pass plays and third downs. The data hint Bowers won’t hit a full-time 85% snap rate, and Mayer’s presence could cap his targets. The takeaway for fantasy managers: expect around 60% routes for Bowers this year, not an 80–90% lock, and prioritize top-tier tight ends who can survive a rotation.

Rest-of-season projections shift as Mayer’s blocked vs. receiving roles split, especially with 12 personnel as the Raiders lean into two-tight-end sets. After Mayer’s mid-season absence, Bowers surged to lead the league in TE fantasy points, but early usage data and coaching personnel changes temper that ceiling. With Geno Smith’s accuracy and Ashton Jeanty adding run-game depth, Las Vegas signals a more varied offense where Bowers remains elite but not invincible. This nudges rankings: McBride and Kittle gain edge in a crowded TE field, while Bowers sits near the top but outside the guaranteed TE1 tier in some formats.

Matthew Stafford’s back progress marks a notable milestone for the Rams as they ramp toward a Sept. 7 opener with Houston. After an epidural and weeks sidelined, Stafford practiced again, demonstrating improved confidence and the capacity to read coverages and dodge pressure at full speed. LA isn’t rushing him, but the plan centers on building a solid foundation through repetitions. Davante Adams’ veteran rest and Alaric Jackson’s continued conditioning add context to a Rams offense aiming to rebound with Staff ord at the helm. The Week 1 spotlight against the Texans heightens fantasy interest around Rams pass volume and Stafford’s stay-healthy ceiling.