Quarterbacks
Starter - Kerry Collins
Backups - Marques Tuiasosopo, Andrew Walter [r]

Starting Quarterback: Kerry Collins has never been in a better situation than the one he's in for 2005. Even if the team remained intact from a year ago and made no offensive improvements, Collins would have already been a solid sleeper. But then the Raiders went out and added superstar Randy Moss and potential star LaMont Jordan to the mix, without even considering changes at quarterback. That, coupled with the impending expected retirement of Rich Gannon, has afforded Collins the knowledge that this is his team. If Collins can't get it done as a fantasy starter with this cast, he never will. Several years ago, Collins was coming off a 4,000-yard season and appeared primed for big things. The talent around him, however, left much to be desired. Now granted, Collins almost certainly isn't much better talent-wise now than he was then, but his opportunity for success is greatly increased by his supporting cast.

Backup Quarterback(s): Rich Gannon's retirement is missing only the formal announcement, which is expected to come sometime after June 1 to alleviate the Raiders salary cap situation for this year. Thus, Marques Tuiasosopo will open the season as the backup. Where have we heard that before? Tuiasosopo came out of college seemingly with the skill set to have a solid pro career, and is apparently still looked upon as the future of the Raiders. That's not so much a vote of confidence as it is an observation that they haven't made any moves to address the backup QB situation. Tuiasosopo will be the #2 guy heading into training camp unless Oakland decides to bring in another veteran for some competition. Andrew Walter, the highly regarded rookie, will serve as the team's emergency QB in 2005, but has the chance to develop into the Raiders starter a few years down the line.

Running Backs
Starter - Lamont Jordan
Backups - Justin Fargas, DeJuan Green
Fullback - Zack Crockett

Starting Running Back: Make no mistake. Lamont Jordan is going to start and play the vast majority of the time. Justin Fargas is talented, but the Raiders have invested heavily in Jordan and no doubt want to see a big return on that investment. Jordan has had several good years in New York with the Jets, looking spectacular at times. He is surprisingly quick and agile for such a big man, and has longed for an opportunity to start for years. Combine great strength and excellent quickness with a hunger to get on the field (not to mention several years of apprenticeship under one of the league's all-time greats in Curtis Martin), and you've got yourself a bona fide potential stud sleeper for 2005.

Backup Running Back(s): Justin Fargas has had several opportunities to carry the load, but never really grabbed a hold of the chance. Now, he is clearly a backup running back, albeit one with excellent speed and quickness. Keep in mind, last year Fargas was in his first year back from ACL surgery on his knee. It typically takes running backs about two years to fully recover from an ACL tear, meaning Fargas shouldn't really be back to his old form until later this season. He'll be a more than capable backup to LaMont Jordan, and will probably have a distinct role in the offense, because there is the worry about burning Jordan out (his career-high in carries is last year's 93).

Fullback(s): Zack Crockett returns to the Raiders for another year of potentially vulturing touchdowns. Actually, Crockett wasn't quite as adept at finding the end zone last year as he's been in years past. Crockett hit pay dirt 33 times over the first five years of his Raiders career, but scored just twice last year. And now that the Raiders have a big burly runner like LaMont Jordan to carry the load, it's unclear if Crockett's role in the offense will be further reduced. Despite the lack of touchdowns, Crockett's per carry average was an impressive 4.8 YPC last year, showing that he isn't only a short-yardage threat. He also had a career-high 16 receptions, which may be more a product of the team not having a RB threat to lean on. In any event, Crockett's fantasy value will be limited because even if he does score 6-8 touchdowns, one never knows when they're going to come. And if he's not scoring, he's not helping fantasy owners.

Wide Receivers
Starters - Randy Moss, Jerry Porter
Backups - Ronald Curry, Doug Gabriel, Alvis Whitted, Carlos Francis

Starting Receivers: Moss and Porter form arguably the most explosive WR duo in the entire NFL. Moss hasn't played with this good of a receiver since Cris Carter retired, and Porter hasn't played with a WR as good as Moss since, well…ever! This tandem is the main reason why people are expecting such big things from the Raider offense this year. When you figure that they've got receivers whose best trait is the ability to stretch the field, a quarterback whose strength is throwing the deep ball, and a bevy of talented players to help alleviate some pressure off of them, one can see why big things are expected of the Raiders offense in 2005. Moss is one of the greatest receivers to ever put on an NFL uniform, and Porter has got talent that at one time was compared favorably to that of Terrell Owens. There is no question that there will be big-time fireworks in Oakland this year, and fantasy owners will be happy to line up either of these players in their lineup on a weekly basis.

Backup Receiver(s): In a sign of how good this offense should be, the two backup receivers are capable of starting for several NFL teams. Yet with the Raiders, neither Ronald Curry nor Doug Gabriel's status is any higher than a third receiver. Curry is returning from a serious Achilles tendon injury (it was torn late in the year), but his rehab is going well and he's expected to be ready for training camp. Gabriel is a solid player who will never be a star in this league, but certainly will contribute as a steady producer, much like he did last year. Either of these players is a capable fill-in for either Moss or Porter should the situation arise.

Tight Ends
Starter - Courtney Anderson, Teyo Johnson
Backup(s) - John Paul Foschi, Kevin Ware
The Raiders claim that Courtney Anderson is their expected starter at tight end. Not only that, he's apparently the long-term starter as well. For a player who is a 7th-round pick coming off a knee injury that cost him nearly half the season, that sure is a lot of confidence to be showing in him. Considering Teyo Johnson is more athletic, more physical, and a better fit for the offense, it would be hard to believe the team would start Anderson if Johnson can tap into his immense potential. He came out of college with extremely high regard, but hasn't shown much in his first two seasons to deem him worthy of fantasy starter status. Regardless of who eventually does emerge, if you're keeping an eye out for the Raider tight ends this year for fantasy purposes, you might want to keep looking. With so much other talent at the skill positions, it doesn't appear that the tight end will be a very big factor in the offensive plans no matter who is in there.

Place Kicker
Sebastian Janikowski: His name has come up often prior to this year's draft since everyone refers to Mike Nugent as the best prospect since Janikowski. Sebastian had it all: accuracy, range, and a cannon leg on kickoffs. His only problem was a pattern of misdemeanor activities and charges. After entering the NFL, he was an average kicker for three years, but he is finally starting to live up to the hype with 88.0% and 89.3% on FGs the last two seasons. Last year was also the first that he didn't have a run in with the law.

Kick and Punt Returners
KRs - Doug Gabriel; Carlos Francis; Lamont Jordan
WR Doug Gabriel has led the team in KRs the last two years (29 returns, 22.3 avg, 1 TD in 2003; and 53 returns, 21.5 avg in 2004). WR Carlos Francis tore his ACL after five games (14 returns, 18.5 avg) and was placed on IR. If he has adequately recovered, he could contribute this year. Recently acquire RB Lamont Jordan returned kicks periodically for the Jets (14 returns, 20.3 avg last year), but it's not likely that the Raiders will have their primary RB doubling as their KR.

PRs - Doug Gabriel; Carlos Francis; Charles Woodson
CB Phillip Buchanon was the Raiders leading PR the last several years, but he is now a Houston Texan. Gabriel is the likely candidate to step into that role. He was their second leading PR last year with only 2 returns (3.5 avg). Francis is also a possibility (again depending on his health). Although he hasn't done so often, CB Charles Woodson can return punts if needed. The Raiders were one of the worst PR teams in the NFL last year, ranking 30th in average, and last in total yardage. They don't presently appear to be in a position to improve significantly.

Offensive Line
Projected Starting Lineup: C-Adam Treu; G-Jake Grove; G-Barry Sims; T-Langston Walker; T-Robert Gallery
Key Backups: G Brad Badger; G Chad Slaughter; T Pete McMahon [r]
The Raiders offensive line experienced some growing pains with two rookies in the starting lineup a year ago, but they will be better for it this season and definitely down the road. Both Robert Gallery and Jake Grove made giant strides as rookies last season and should be much more comfortable this season. Gallery in particular has All World potential and could begin dominating his competition as soon as this season with his remarkable athleticism and tenacity. Tackle Langston Walker is another young player who is getting better and should be given the chance to start in 2005. Barry Sims gives the team veteran leadership and is a player who can slide in at both guard and tackle (depending on where he's needed). This unit is still a year away from possibly being outstanding, but it will be improved this season as they continue to train their young talent.

Team Defense
When the best thing you can say about a defense is that they ranked 22nd versus the run, you know it's ugly with the emphasis on UG! Statistics like 61.8% completions allowed, 30th against the pass, 31st in scoring, 31st in sacks and 29th in total takeaways with only 9 interceptions, emphasize just how bad it was but they don't tell the whole story. The Raiders defense lacked an identity in '04. They flip flopped back and forth between 4-3 and 3-4 defensive alignments all season and when it was over they still didn't even know what their base defense was. Maybe worst of all, half their personnel were (and still are) suited to one alignment and half to the other so they don't really have the horses in place to excel in either scheme. The additions they have made this offseason suggest they will go in the direction of a 4-3 in 2005. The club has added talent at all three levels of the defense this offseason. They addressed the pass rush by adding DE Derrick Burgess and were happy to land linebacker LB Kirk Morrison in round 3 of the draft. They most strongly addressed their deficiencies in the secondary on draft day by using their top pick on CB Fabian Washington and a second rounder on CB Stanford Routt. They also added Renaldo Hill via free agency. It would be hard for this unit not to show some improvement after last season but they are a team in transition and have a long way to go. At this point they can't even get through a minicamp without having disgruntled Pro Bowl corner Charles Woodson get into a heated argument with the defensive coordinator. It could be another long season for the Raider Nation.

Defensive Line
Starters - RDE Tyler Brayton, LDE Derrick Burgess, RDT Warren Sapp, LDT Ted Washington
Backups - DE Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, DE Bobby Hamilton, DE Grant Irons, DT Anttaj Hawthorne [r], DT Terdell Sands, DT Kenny Smith

Starting Defensive Linemen: The addition of 4-3 end Derrick Burgess and the fact that Tyler Brayton and Warren Sapp were both complete flops, at OLB and DE respectively, in the 3-4 last season are strong indicators that the Raiders will rely mostly on a 4-3 this year. This would be great news for Brayton who has been a square peg stuffed into a round hole since joining the club two years ago. He has just 5 total sacks to show for his 31 starts but at this point we can't call him a flop because he really hasn't been given much opportunity. In Burgess the club may have more questions than answers, as well. Entering his 5th NFL season he has missed more games with injury than he's played in and recorded just 3 sacks last year in 13 starts for the Eagles. That means the Oakland starting ends recorded just 5.5 sacks between them in 28 starts a year ago. If they stay in a 4-3 the Raiders will likely be in good shape up the middle. Both Sapp and Washington are elder statesmen in NFL terms but both still have some football left in them. Sapp's failure to excel last season has some saying he is done. He isn't the player he was in the late 90's but if you put this fish back in the water he can still swim.

Backup Defensive Linemen: Oakland doesn't have any stars-in-waiting along the DL. What they have is a handful of guys that can contribute but no one that they would want to depend on full time. Bobby Hamilton will be 34 when the season opens. He is a dependable early down player who can stand up against the run but has never been more than an average pass rusher. He made a good DE in their 3-4 a year ago but isn't a good fit in the 4-3. Akbar Gbaja-Biamila played OLB in the 3-4 last year and is a good pass rusher but is too small and struggles against the run. Grant Irons is a serviceable backup but not a lot more at this point. Terdell Sands was plucked off waivers last year to backup Washington at nose tackle. The 340-pounder has the size to get that job done but he isn't in Ted Washington's class. Rookie DT Anttaj Hawthorne is somewhat of a project. In short the Raiders are not only questionable along the DL but pretty thin as well.

Linebackers
Starters - WLB Travian Smith, MLB Danny Clark, SLB Sam Williams
Backups - WLB Ryan Riddle, MLB Kirk Morrison [r], SLB DeLawrence Grant

Starting Linebackers: There are a lot of questions surrounding the Raiders linebacker situation, as well. For starters they traded away their most talented linebacker (Napoleon Harris) in the Randy Moss deal. Travian Smith is currently listed as the team's starting WLB but got some work with the first team at MLB in minicamp He's been with the club since '98 and has yet to make an impact, not to mention that Smith has missed 14 games with injury over the past two seasons after being a career backup for the previous 5. Danny Clark made just 28 starts over 4 seasons with the Jaguars before going to Oakland last year and most of those came as a fill-in for injured starters. He had a big statistical year in '04 but in reality is still a marginal talent. Sam Williams is a pet of owner Al Davis who is intent upon making him fit into the Raiders plans. He'll lineup as the starter at SLB heading into training camp but in reality he's best suited as an OLB in a 3-4. Williams has struggled with injuries for the past two seasons and has been active for just 10 games heading into his third year. He's still raw and unproven to put it mildly. It's a good thing the club picked up some good young prospects in the draft. They are going to need them.

Backup Linebackers: Ryan Riddle may have been a 6th-round pick but don't be surprised to see him on the field a lot this year. The Raiders don't have much depth at WLB and he's playing behind a guy who has had injury issues over his entire 8-year career. Riddle will compete with converted safety Marquis Smith for the backup job but should come away with it. Kirk Morrison is the player to watch here. He doesn't have ideal size or speed but the kid simply got the job done at San Diego State. The Raiders were happy to land him in round 3 and expect that he will push for playing time right away. DeLawrence Grant has bounced back and forth between end and linebacker so many times he has to feel like a tennis ball. He's another 3-4 OLB playing out of his comfort zone. That said, with all the uncertainty surrounding Sam Williams; don't be surprised if Grant sees significant action this season.

Defensive Backs
Starters - RCB Fabian Washington [r], LCB Charles Woodson, FS Stuart Schweigert, SS Derrick Gibson
Backups - CB Renaldo Hill, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Stanford Routt [r], Denard Walker, FS Jarrod Cooper, SS Marques Anderson

Starting Defensive Backs: Even though Oakland has parted ways with an unhappy Phillip Buchanon there is still unrest in Raiders camp with Charles Woodson. While he remains one of the best corners in the game, it's not a very well kept secret that Woodson doesn't see eye to eye with members of the organization and/or the coaching staff. The club took steps to replace Buchanon when they used their first draft pick on Fabian Washington. The rookie will have to beat out some solid veteran competition but should come away with the starting job opposite Woodson. Washington is blazing fast and has all the tools to make a very good NFL corner. Derrick Gibson missed most of last season with a shoulder injury and was on thin ice before he was hurt. He has underachieved in the eyes of the organization that spent a first round pick on him back in '01. Gibson had however been showing improvement over the '03 season and right up until he was injured. Stuart Schweigert saw extensive action as a rookie last season after Gibson went down. He played like a rookie at times but showed a ton of potential at other times. This unit is both fast and talented. If they can overcome some inexperience and possibly some chemistry issues, this should be the strength of the defense.

Backup Defensive Backs: One thing the Raiders do have going for them this year is a very deep secondary. Veterans Renaldo Hill and Denard Walker are solid corners with plenty of experience. Though Walker may be released due to all the new young talent, Hill could possibly come away with a starting job and should at the least handle the nickel duties. '03 first round pick Nnamdi Asomugha will also have his name in the hat for a starting job and is actually listed as the starter at press time. For that matter second round pick Stanford Routt could get a look as well though he is a dark horse. Jarrod Cooper is officially listed as the backup as FS though in reality Marques Anderson will be the top backup at both positions. He may even come out of camp as the starter at SS if Gibson doesn't pick up where he left off and continue to improve. In a nutshell the Raiders have probably 5 starting caliber corners to work with and 3 pretty good safeties, 2 of which can play either position. The secondary won't be their biggest problem again in '05.