All Spotlights • Zach Miller Player Page • OAK Projections • TE Projections • TE Rankings • OAK Team Report

Spotlight - TE Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders

Posted on 8/14, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Maurile Tremblay's Thoughts

Oakland had the league's worst passing offense last year, gaining just 2,369 net yards through the air. The one bright spot was TE Zach Miller, who accounted for nearly a third of those yards (32.8% to be exact.).

Zach Miller was the Raiders' top target in the passing game last season by a wide margin -- in fact, he had more than twice as many targets or yards as anyone else on the team. Originally a second-round draft pick in 2007, he caught 44 passes for 444 yards as a rookie (a team record for rookie tight ends), and followed that up with last year's 56 receptions for 778 yards (an impressive 13.9 yards per reception). That made him the sixth-leading receiver among TEs last season, although he was held back from better fantasy success by his anomalously low TD total of one.

While the Raiders' lack of red zone opportunities is still a concern heading into 2009, Miller should get more looks in the end zone this season, if only by default. The Raiders have no other accomplished red zone targets.

One of the keys to fantasy success as a tight end is a lack of quality wide receivers lining up outside. Miller, by that criterion, is a potential stud. Between Javon Walker, Johnie Lee Higgins, Chaz Schilens, Darrius Hewyard-Bey, and Louis Murphy, there's not a sure thing in the bunch. The way Anthony Gonzalez thrived in Kansas City for so many years without much talent at WR, and the way Antonio Gonzales thrived in San Diego before Vincent Jackson's emergence, Miller may be yet another AFC West tight end to profit from his team's lack of outside threats.

Miller became QB JaMarcus Russell's safety valve in 2008, as many of his receptions came on check-downs. Despite being the team's most targeted receiver, Miller was actually held in to block a fair amount. Rookie TE Brandon Myers is a blocking specialist, and his presence in two-TE sets should allow Miller to get into the pattern more often.

Positives

• Miller was the Raiders' most reliable receiver last season, and has become JaMarcus Russell's security blanket
• He has the speed and athleticism to get downfield and make big plays on a seam route
• Miller should be even more involved in the passing game in 2009 since he will be kept in less often to pass-block

Negatives

• The Raiders' QB situation is unsettled. JaMarcus Russell is still unproven, but is likely to be the starter at the beginning of the season. If Russell falters, Jeff Garcia, at this stage of his career, may not be much of an upgrade
• The Raiders arguably have the worst passing offense in the league, and red zone targets may be hard to come by once again in 2009
• While the lack of receiving talent outside will leave Miller as a primary target in the passing offense, that's a mixed blessing since opposing secondaries will key on him and try to take away the middle of the field

Final Thoughts

Miller has the hands and athleticism to become an elite fantasy tight end, and in some ways appears to be in a good situation. He is his team's leading receiver and will be a big part of the Raiders' passing attack this year. The problem is, that passing attack may not be very good. With questionable talent at QB and WR, the team will rely heavily on the running game, particularly around the goal line. While Miller's TD total should improve over last year's dismal output, it's hard to project him for more than about half of what the league's elite fantasy TEs typically end up with. But while Miller cannot be considered an elite TE, he is a solid fantasy starter and presents excellent upside potential for his current average draft position.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

RC94:
Last year he had 13.9 YPC, but I am downgrading it a little to an even 13 YPC, which may still be a little ambitious but not unrealistic since he has already been there. It wouldn't surprise me if he is the leading receiver in OAK this year.

radiohead417:
Obviously a lot of Miller's stats will depend on who is throwing him the ball. Does Garcia have a real chance to win the job, or is he just there to motivate JaMarcus Russell? Either way, Miller has to fight for balls with DHB, JL Higgins and Chaz Schilens.

I do think he'll get into the end zone a few more times just from dumb luck, but I think his catches and yards should end up about the same.

rzrback77:
Zach Miller had 44 catches for 444 yards and 10.1 yoc as a rookie. He increased his production in his second year to 56 catches for 778 yards and 13.9 ypc. His only problem thus far in his career is lack of TDs with only 4 to date. I love his talent and don't think that his situation is as dire or his QB as bad as most proclaim. I project another level of improvement in his third year.

Garrett:
He has the talent to catch 75+, the question lays on the offense as a whole. With Jamarcus struggling last year, McFadden gimping his toe week 2 vs Kansas City, and the coaching turnover in Oakland; I don't see how his prospects could be anything but up this coming season. The Oakland WR corps are still very much a work in progress; Zach has the talent and certainly the opportunity to be the go to option in that passing offense inside 15 yards and without a doubt in the red zone.

Zach Miller Projections