Who Should I Start? Charlie Kolar or Michael Mayer

Sunday, May 26, 11:57 AM

Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar added some bulk to his frame this offseason, and head coach John Harbaugh said this offseason that he'd like to see Kolar continue to become a more developed blocker. Kolar looks ready to take on that role, which is extremely important for an offense that relies so much on punishing opposing defenses on the ground. The 25-year-old tight end showed progress in his second year in the NFL in 2023, but that still amounted to only seven receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown on nine targets, even with top tight end Mark Andrews missing time with a leg injury. Behind both Andrews and Isiah Likely and because he's primarily a blocking-first tight end, Kolar should remain well off the fantasy radar in 2024.

Monday, July 8, 2:25 PM

The Athletic's Vic Tafur writes that it's the Las Vegas Raiders' plan to use more two-tight end sets this year involving rookie first-rounder Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, who was a second-round selection in 2023. In addition, the Raiders will line up Bowers out wide and behind the quarterback at times to give the defense unique looks. It's not that the Raiders suddenly don't like Mayer now after drafting Bowers in the first round, but they just thought they couldn't pass up on Bowers' explosiveness and even turned down a team trying to trade up for him. While Mayer will still have a role in the offense in his second NFL season, he's going to take a back seat to Bowers in 2024 and will go undrafted in standard 12-team fantasy leagues this fall. Bowers, meanwhile has the potential for a Sam LaPorta-like season in his rookie campaign.