Geno Smith's Raiders tenure hits turbulence as Las Vegas is blasted by Indianapolis 40-6 in Week 5. Smith throws two more interceptions, bringing his total to nine in five games—the most by a Raiders quarterback through five games since Jim Plunkett in 1982.

Despite a two-year, $75 million extension, the offense remains boxed in by turnovers and rust. Fantasy managers must reassess Smith and the supporting cast as the Raiders chase a turnaround.

Raiders expect Brock Bowers to play Sunday after rest, while Michael Mayer’s availability remains in question. Vegas leans into two-tea​nd look sets with Mayer and Bowers, with Ian Thomas stabilizing the workload. Bech should see more snaps, and Forsythe has looked ready to step in. Crosby is healthy, Johnson Jr. is ramping up, and Indianapolis’ strong start poses a real Week 5 challenge for fantasy lineups.

Amari Cooper retires after a brief Raiders reunion, ending a 10-year NFL journey that included elite runs with Oakland, Dallas and Cleveland, and a late stint with Buffalo. Las Vegas now leans on Jakobi Meyers with Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech pushing for roles behind him, reshaping fantasy target shares in a revamped receiving corps.

Cooper's exit tightens Raiders' plan and signals a broader shift across Bills, Cowboys and Browns rosters, where fantasy managers must reassess upside and floor for veteran pass-catchers and rookies stepping into bigger roles this season.

Dont'e Thornton Jr. arrives in Las Vegas as a buzzworthy 2025 fourth-rounder, and Amari Cooper's retirement could thrust him into a lead role. At 6'5" with a 4.30, Thornton stands out in Vegas' WR corps, potentially opening immediate opportunities as Cooper departs.

Bech sits behind Tre Tucker, but Thornton's ceiling is elevated by size and speed—a DK Metcalf-like profile. Fantasy interest is rising as ESPN ownership jumped from under 8% to about 12% in a day, signaling the rookie’s breakout potential.

Amari Cooper plans to retire days before the 2025 season opener in New England after a one-year Raiders reunion deal. At 31, he says he has “juice left,” but his exit tightens Las Vegas’ WR corps just as rookie receivers Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech were expected to grow into bigger roles alongside Tre Tucker and Jakobi Meyers, who recently pressed for a trade. The Patriots await in Week 1, with Cooper mentoring a younger group and setting the stage for a 1,000-yard-era veteran to hand off leadership.

Cooper finishes with 711 receptions, 10,033 yards and 64 TDs across 52 games in Las Vegas, including career highs, back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and a full-circle arc from 2015 Oakland to present-day LV. His retirement leaves a nuanced fantasy backdrop: Meyers’ target share uncertain, while Thornton and Bech carry breakout potential behind a still-developing Raiders QB core and a coaching staff counting on rookie growth and veteran guidance.