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QB Change Coming In Vegas?

By Jared Smola | Updated on Mon, Sep 23 2024 7:54 PM UTC
Gardner Minshew Headshot

Raiders HC Antonio Pierce didn't rule out a QB change at his Monday press conference, according to The Athletic's Vic Tafur. QB Gardner Minshew was yanked from Sunday's loss to the Panthers after throwing a bad INT in the fourth quarter. He finished 18 of 28 (64%) for 214 yards (7.6 YPA) with one TD and one INT. QB Aidan O'Connell played the final drive of the game, completing nine of 12 passes (75%) for 82 yards (6.8 YPA) and a score -- against Carolina's prevent defense.

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

It's only a matter of time before we see O'Connell. Minshew simply isn't good enough to hold the starting job all season.

O'Connell is unlikely to be a significant upgrade -- if he's an upgrade at all. But he at least brings some potential upside as a 26-year-old, second-year player. His final four outings of last season included these passing lines:

  • 248-4-0
  • 299-2-0
  • 244-2-0

Sandwiched between those was a 62-yard, 0-TD dud in Kansas City.

O'Connell is unlikely to ascend beyond lower-end QB2 territory and is only worth stashing in deeper 2-QB and superflex leagues.

We'll let you know when the Raiders name a starting QB for this weekend's home game vs. the Browns.

Jared Smola Author Image
Jared Smola, Lead Analyst
Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks sixth among 158 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.
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