The Raiders lost starting QB Aidan O’Connell in their Week 7 matchup against the Rams, and he was replaced by Gardner Minshew II ($4,800), who previously started the first five games of the season. On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that O’Connell is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a broken thumb, meaning it’s time for more Minshew Mania in Vegas!
After taking over in Week 7, Minshew threw for 154 yards while completing 15-of-34 passes for 154 yards. He threw three interceptions, though, and also lost a fumble and finished with no touchdowns and only 2.36 fantasy points. The worst part is that he still outscored O’Connell, who completed 6-of-10 passes for 52 yards before his early departure.
What it means
While the Raiders offense hasn’t been good with either quarterback at the helm, Minshew did bring a little more life to the passing game, specifically the wide receivers. In the early season, he had Davante Adams to soak up targets, but he managed to make some magic even after Adams started sitting out with his hamstring issue (wink, wink).
The one player you can definitely still count on is Brock Bowers ($6,100), the rookie tight end has locked himself in as a top-10 starter every week at the position with top-five upside. He had 10 catches for 93 yards on 14 targets this week and was the No. 3 tight end of the week coming into Monday Night Football. He was the No. 5 tight end in O’Connell’s Week 6 start but was No. 2 in Week 5 and No. 3 in Week 2 with Minshew under center. With Adams now in New York, Bowers is a must start the rest of the way since he’ll get so much volume.
He’s the most expensive tight end in Week 8’s DFS contests, highlighted by the NFL $2.75M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st]. He also gets a great matchup vs. the Chiefs, since Kansas City has allowed the second-most fantasy points to the position this season.
Aside from Bowers, though, Jakobi Meyers ($5,400) and Tre Tucker ($4,400) get a boost from Minshew coming back. Meyers has been inactive the last two weeks, but he got at least nine targets in each of the last three games he played with Minshew at QB and Adams inactive. He has 20+ fantasy points against the Panthers and at least 9.9 fantasy points in each of those three games. If he returns this week, he also should have enough value to be a value play.
Tucker may actually be the receiver most impacted by the move. With O’Connell at QB, he didn’t have a single catch in Week 6. With Minshew, he had seven catches for 96 yards and 22.6 fantasy points in Week 3 against the Panthers and 15.4 fantasy points against the Browns in Week 4.
Even Sunday after Minshew came in, Tucker caught 3-of-8 targets for 36 yards. He has graded well and has outstanding big-play potential due to his speed. While Minshew is far from perfect, he’s been better than O’Connell at getting the ball to “Sticks” in places for him to make plays.
The Bottom Line
With Minshew in for O’Connell, the Raiders’ offense still isn’t one I love. However, it is a significant upgrade for Meyers and Tucker, especially if Meyers is out and he works as the team’s top wide receiver.
Bowers is locked in as a No. 1 TE regardless of QB, although he may have a slightly lower floor since Minshew gets the receivers involved more than O’Connell did. I still have him as a top-five option this week. Tucker will be a sleeper to watch if Meyers is out. He may be an emergency-start flex play due to his high upside.
If Meyers returns, he’ll be a solid flex play against the Chiefs this week since the volume should be there from Minshew.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
