The Oakland Raiders are in “win now” mode after trading a large chunk of their future to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for Palmer. All the chips have been shoved into the middle of the table.
The 31-year-old is going to get thrown into the fire and will likely start this week against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Don’t start him this week.
But that doesn’t mean he isn’t a good fantasy option down the road.
The 6-5, 240-pound California native is going to need about a month to really learn the playbook and the tendencies of his receivers.
I would guess that Palmer will turn the ball over at least two times a game for the next four contests. Remember, he did have 20 interceptions last year for the Bengals.
Yet by the time December rolls around, Palmer is going to be fully adjusted and comfortable in the offense as his team attempts to make the playoffs for the first time in almost a decade.
With the best running game in the league, the pressure is off Palmer to make the big plays.
For all the talk you hear about his elbow that never completely healed from an injury back in 2008, the guy still threw for 3,970 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2010, a year after guiding the Bengals to their second playoff game in the last 20 years.
He was a legit fantasy option all season and now he has better parts around him.
As you can see in New England, Chad Ochocinco is washed-up and probably was last year, as well. His unwillingness to go over the middle cost Palmer more than a few interceptions.
His other main target from a year ago, Terrell Owens, isn’t even in the NFL right now because teams are afraid to take a chance on him.
The Raiders are full of young, energetic and speedy receivers who don’t mind laying out for a b...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
