Dareke Young

Career StatsD-

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		42	4	72	—
2025		9	2	48	0
2024		14	0	0	0
2023		6

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Salary-cap math on Dareke Young's contract works out to a D Contract Value Index given the dead-cap exposure and term. Young's 2025 season produced 48 receiving yards across 9 games, a modest output that reflects his role as a depth piece rather than a featured contributor, and his D- performance grade confirms he remains a complementary player at best. At $1.8M AAV on a one-year deal, he occupies the lower end of the receiver market—reasonable money for a fourth-year veteran, but the contract offers minimal upside if production doesn't materialize and negligible penalty if the Raiders need to move on. Young's age (27) and career stage position him as a journeyman contributor rather than a developmental asset or high-upside flyer, which limits the ceiling on this signing from a value perspective. The media narrative around Young leans cautiously optimistic, framing him as a shrewd depth acquisition with Kubiak system familiarity and special teams value—exactly the kind of under-the-radar add that could exceed modest expectations if he clicks in Las Vegas's receiving corps. The one-year structure insulates the Raiders from long-term commitment risk, but the CVI grade reflects the fundamental tension: you're paying above-replacement-level money for a player whose recent production and performance trajectory offer limited evidence he'll meaningfully move the needle in 2026.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the D band — a quick read on where Dareke's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Tape review and box-score baselines converge on a D- performance grade for Dareke Young. As a fourth-year receiver, Young is operating well below the threshold of a reliable rotational contributor—his 2025 season production of 48 receiving yards across 9 games reflects the kind of marginal output that defines depth-chart filler in the NFL. His nine tackles suggest he's been leaned on for special teams work, which is typically where sub-replacement-level receivers find their only value proposition. Young's minimal receiving production and limited snap opportunities in Seattle underscore why he's a low-risk depth addition rather than a developmental prospect with genuine upside. That said, the Raiders' media framing and the fanbase's cautious optimism speak to a calculated gamble: Young is being asked to compete for a rotational role in a receiving corps desperate for any reliable depth, and the Kubiak connection has generated legitimate intrigue that he could outperform this D- tape assessment if he finds a system fit. At 27 and in his fourth year, this is a prove-it deal where Young needs to demonstrate he's more than a special teams utility player to justify the bandwidth invested in him during an offseason where Las Vegas is actively reshaping its receiver room.

How Dareke Compares at the Position

Dareke Young ranks 269th of 295 graded wide receivers by performance. That slots Dareke between Britain Covey (D-) just ahead and Xavier Weaver (D-) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

The media has embraced Dareke Young's arrival in Las Vegas with cautious optimism, viewing him as a shrewd depth acquisition that could exceed modest expectations. Five outlets covered the signing, with one already dubbing him a "potential pleasant surprise" — reflecting genuine intrigue rather than typical backup receiver indifference. Young's flashes with Seattle as both a special teams contributor and raw receiving talent have generated quiet buzz among Raiders beat writers, who appreciate the low-risk nature of adding proven NFL experience. The Kubiak offensive system connection has amplified fan enthusiasm, with many believing Young's skill set could translate into a legitimate rotational role by 2026. This B- sentiment grade captures a fanbase that isn't expecting fireworks but sees legitimate upside in a player who profiles as more than just camp fodder. The consensus suggests Young represents exactly the type of under-the-radar addition that could quietly pay dividends in a receiving corps desperate for reliable depth.