Derek

Hagan

Heyward-Bey appears to be on the wrong side of a questionable tag. If Hagan does get the nod, he’ll be the “Z” receiver opposite Denarius Moore but a mere desperation PPR option. When DHB sat out at Denver Week 4, Hagan ended up with just two catches for 18 yards. This time, of course, he’d be facing the Swiss cheese Saints’ secondary. Still, slot man Rod Streater and rookie Juron Criner project to steal targets.

Hagan was a popular pick up this week due to Darrius Heyward-Bey’s (hamstring) uncertainty, but the veteran receiver was a non-factor with DHB active. He’s safe to leave on the waiver wire for the remainder of the season.

Schilens always looks good on the practice field (when healthy), but he’s yet to be a contributor in actual games. He rotated with Derek Hagan in this one, and Hagan finished with 61 yards on five receptions. Schilens and Hagan will move back down the depth chart when Jacoby Ford and Louis Murphy return.

Hagan was playing productively on special teams and on offense whenever he got a chance, but he drew the short end of the stick when T.J. Houshmandzadeh signed. Hagan will likely get plenty of looks before the season is over.

The addition of 28-year-old Hagan may indicate the Raiders don’t envision Denarius Moore (hamstring) playing Monday night against the Chargers. A journeyman possession receiver, Hagan has 109 career catches over six seasons. He could be active for a reserve role in Week 1, but isn’t on the fantasy radar.

Hagan drew five targets as he failed to clear 20 yards for the second time in four games. “Starting” or not, Hagan simply isn’t a viable fantasy option, even in exceptionally-deep leagues. He’s on pace for a yawn-inducing line of 40/408/0.

Darrius Heyward-Bey got the start, but Hagan appeared to play just as many snaps against the Falcons and got open regularly downfield as a viable No. 2 pass option for Carson Palmer. Hagan has long been a solid real-life NFL player. He just won’t offer much upside as a Week 7 bye-week play against Jacksonville, playing behind Denarius Moore and Heyward-Bey.

Hagan was signed off the street just four days prior to Monday night’s tilt with the Chargers. So, overall he did an admirable job filling in. Hagan was targeted seven times on the night on mostly short passes over the middle. He has no fantasy value going forward.

Unless the Broncos are using him to shadow opposing No. 1s -- which they’ve barely done this year -- Champ Bailey most often squares off with Z receivers. Hagan would have a brutal matchup in that scenario. Look for Denarius Moore to pace Oakland in targets Sunday. Rod Streater figures to play in the slot.

Hagan isn’t even listed on this week’s depth chart because coach Hue Jackson got tired and forgot to put him in. During the portion of Thursday’s practice open to the media, Hagan and Jacoby Ford worked with the first-team offense while Denarius Moore and Chaz Schilens handled second-team work. For fantasy purposes, Ford is the only Oakland receiver trustworthy enough to be in starting lineups right now.