Who Should I Start? Baker Mayfield or Brock Bowers

Friday, October 24, 4:56 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (knee, oblique) is ready to go for the Week 8 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Mayfield is a little banged up right now, but that's not going to stop him from suiting up. The 28-year-old wasn't able to offer much to fantasy managers last week. Mayfield threw for 228 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception in the loss to the Detroit Lions. As always, Mayfield will be playing shorthanded with Chris Godwin (leg), Mike Evans (collarbone), and Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) all sidelined. However, the Bucs will still have Emeka Egbuka, so Mayfield should be able to offer QB1 value against the below average Saints defense.

Monday, October 20, 3:00 PM

Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers (knee) has missed the last three games as he recovers from the bone bruise and PCL injury he sustained in the season opener, but according to head coach Pete Carroll, he's expected to return to the field following the team's Week 8 bye. The Raiders are coming off one of the worst offensive performances in recent history, managing fewer than 100 total yards in a 31-0 shellacking from the Kansas City Chiefs, so for multiple reasons, the bye week comes at a good time. Bowers caught five of eight targets for 103 yards in Week 1, but was clearly limited in his next three outings, lacking his trademark explosiveness as he played with a knee brace. Rather than risk further injury, the team made the decision to shut him down until he's fully healthy, and he is now in line to play in Week 9 against the Jaguars. While he may need to work himself back into game shape, he should still be inserted right back into starting lineups, as the upside he offers at the position is practically unmatched across the league.