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The sweat may be pooling up in all the wrong places, but, before you know it, changing leaves, cool temperatures and football will be in the air. To help fantasy managers and devoted bettors get through summer’s soaring heat, The Gaming Juice’s resident gridiron gambler, Brad Evans, is here to preview each NFL franchise — fantasy values, prop picks and team win totals. Channeling Richard Dent, Reggie White and J.J. Watt, the Three-Point Stance has eyes on sacking the sportsbooks and fantasy rivals.
Today’s featured squad: Las Vegas Raiders.
Fantasy value — Jakobi Meyers, WR (ADP: 79.22, WR39)
Brock Bowers will unquestionably be Geno Smith’s primary flavor of choice. The tight end’s presence explains why Meyers, Vegas’ sure-fire WR1, is typically found on the discount rack.
The disrespect is dumbfounding. Still only 28 coming off a strong WR2 performance in PPR formats last year (87-1087-4, WR20), his perceived value has slipped into the WR4 ranks. Inconceivable. However, the improper dissing presents a prime buy low opportunity.
Last season with shoddy passers Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew, Meyers quietly stood out in several key advanced metrics. According to PlayerProfiler, he landed inside the top 20 in contested catch rate (WR15), total route wins (WR9) and total air yards (WR17). Most spectacularly, he finished WR11 in expected fantasy points per game, meaning his end-season placement could’ve been much higher.
With the potential for 120-plus targets and an upgrade at quarterback (Smith was QB8 in adjusted completion percentage with Seattle in 2024), Meyers should again profit handsomely. His No. 12 fantasy strength of schedule only ratchets that argument.
Prop pick — Ashton Jeanty 10 or more rushing touchdowns (+260, DraftKings)
Individuals who perpetually fear the unknown and cast doubt over wonderfully talented first-year players simply because they haven’t played a meaningful snap of professional football are a few beers short of a six-pack.
Wake up and smell the advanced stats — and inevitable production — naysayer.
Last year at Boise State, Jeanty established the pace among all FBS running backs in YAC per attempt (5.25), missed tackles forced (152) and breakaway runs (36), as tracked by Pro Football Focus. And don’t act like he only posted ridiculous numbers against the Lake Superior States of the world. He booked 200 total yards against powerhouse Oregon and 126 total yards against Penn State.
[ NFL Gamer's Guide: Fantasy forecasts and futures bets for 2025 season ]
Want to escape finishing dead last in your league and avoid the agreed-upon Waffle House punishment? Saddle up the former Bronco.
With a revamped offensive line, Smith at the helm and a run-minded Chip Kelly calling plays, the rookie is sure to be a certifiable workhorse. His combined rushing attempts and receptions are likely to land in the 330-350 range with many opportunities coming inside the red zone.
Jeanty’s vision, patience and contact balance have drawn comparisons to vintage Zeke Elliott. Like the former Cowboy and 46 other Year 1 rushers, Jeanty should also cross the chalk on the ground at least 10 times in his inaugural campaign. At +260 to accomplish the feat, he’s a superb value. Considering him in other markets is also recommended.
Team lean — Raiders OVER 6.5 regular-season wins (-150, BetMGM)
Step up to the craps table at roughly 1:30 a.m., order another stiff drink, stack chips and let it ride.
Investing in Vegas at significant minus money on the over is admittedly a dice roll. It's a team in transition, one that doesn’t have the easiest strength of schedule (No. 19). Despite the Raiders’ shining stars on both ends, they trot out offensive and defensive units most prognosticators rank in the league’s bottom third.
However, perpetual gum chomper Pete Carroll is a proven head coach who still has the energy of a twentysomething at his advanced age (73). His marriage with Kelly along with other team additions could propel the Silver and Black to a surprising result.
ESPN’s Mike Clay gives the Darth Vader dome dwellers only a 50% or greater win probability in four games. Handle business against the meek and grab victories in projected toss-up games at home against the Chargers (Week 2), at the Colts (Week 5) and at home against the Cowboys (Week 11), and the OVER comes into view.