The Las Vegas Raiders have officially decided to move forward with Antonio Pierce as the team’s head coach for the upcoming 2024 NFL season.
Does the stability at head coach — who relied on rookie QB Aidan O’Connell — increase the passer’s chances to be a fantasy football-viable starting quarterback of the Raiders next season?
Aidan O’Connell Dynasty Outlook
Before the 2023 season, I was asked during a radio spot who I thought could be the Brock Purdy of this year. Interestingly enough, the first name that came to mind was O’Connell.
Unfortunately, O’Connell didn’t have quite the success in his rookie year that we saw from Purdy in 2022, but O’Connell managed to defy the odds and earned the starting role under center in Week 9 of his first season in the league.
The results were modest — he threw for 2,218 yards to go with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions over 11 games — but he provided flashes of competency and improvement during his time as the Raiders’ signal-caller in a tumultuous year.
However, O’Connell had a rather strong finish to the 2023 season, throwing for over 240 yards and two-plus scores in three of his last four games.
His collection of pass catchers, which included Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, was solid enough to give O’Connell reliable playmakers. And O’Connell was productive enough to help both WRs finish as top-24 options at the position in PPR formats.
This all sounds a bit promising for his dynasty outlook, but his status as the starting quarterback is far from secure heading into 2024.
The Raiders are expected to potentially pursue other options at quarterback this offseason, which makes O’Connell’s dynasty value tough to pinpoint at this very moment.
O’Connell’s Dynasty Ranking
Where does O’Connell land in the dynasty QB landscape going into the 2024 offseason? Here are Tate’s latest dynasty rankings, featuring where O’Connell lands in comparison to other top names at the position.
Derek Tate’s Top 30 Dynasty QB Rankings
1) Patrick Mahomes | KC
2) Josh Allen | BUF
3) Lamar Jackson | BAL
4) Joe Burrow | CIN
5) Jalen Hurts | PHI
6) Justin Herbert | LAC
7) C.J. Stroud | HOU
8) Trevor Lawrence | JAX
9) Anthony Richardson | IND
10) Justin Fields | CHI
11) Brock Purdy | SF
12) Tua Tagovailoa | MIA
13) Jordan Love | GB
14) Jared Goff | DET
15) Dak Prescott | DAL
16) Kyler Murray | ARI
17) Bryce Young | CAR
18) Deshaun Watson | CLE
19) Will Levis | TEN
20) Matthew Stafford | LAR
21) Kirk Cousins | MIN
22) Baker Mayfield | TB
23) Aidan O’Connell | LV
24) Geno Smith | SEA
25) Aaron Rodgers | NYJ
26) Daniel Jones | NYG
27) Derek Carr | NO
28) Russell Wilson | DEN
29) Kenny Pickett | PIT
30) Sam Howell | WAS
Should You Trade O’Connell in Dynasty?
Are you considering trading O’Connell? Our free PFN Trade Analyzer allows you to find the best trade offer to make in seconds!
Let’s start by saying this… O’Connell only holds any significant value in Superflex or 2QB formats. Sure, he had some nice moments as a rookie signal-caller. Still, his average production at the position diminishes his value in 1QB leagues. Thus, there’s a limited market in which he can be traded for anything of significance.
In Superflex leagues, though, O’Connell is an intriguing prospect given his age and potential starting role in an offense that features some very talented pass catchers.
One could argue that O’Connell showed us more in his rookie campaign than the No. 1 overall pick from last year’s NFL Draft, Bryce Young. The Raider threw for more touchdowns and fewer interceptions than Young in five fewer games played.
The issue lies with how aggressively Las Vegas could be in pursuing an upgrade at quarterback this offseason. A first-time head coach like Pierce could be a bit weary of hitching his wagon to O’Connell despite the Purdue product having nice moments during the final month of the season.
Ultimately, if you can cash out on O’Connell by getting a second-round rookie pick in the upcoming draft, I would strongly consider it.
KEEP READING: Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Value Chart
His potential upside as a starter heading into his second year gives him some value at the moment, but that could change very quickly if the team adds another quarterback, which would crater his current dynasty value.
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