Raiders HC Antonio Pierce named QB Aidan O'Connell the starter for this weekend's game vs. the Steelers. O'Connell has already seen action in place of QB Gardner Minshew twice this season, completing 19 of 32 passes (59%) for 176 yards (5.5 YPA), one TD, and one INT. He made 10 starts as a rookie last year, finishing with a 62% completion rate and 6.5 yards per attempt. O'Connell did have his three best games of the season over the final four weeks, ranking 14th among 39 qualifying QBs in Pro Football Focus passing grade during that stretch.
O'Connell brings more unknown than Minshew, which theoretically gives him more upside -- but also more downside. Realistically, he's unlikely to be more than a minor upgrade for this Raiders passing game.
O'Connell gets a tough opening draw against the Steelers, who rank 13th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. He sits dead last in our Week 6 QB Rankings.
For now, O'Connell doesn't move the needle for WR Jakobi Meyers, WR Tre Tucker, or TE Brock Bowers.
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