Who Should I Start? Chris Manhertz or Michael Mayer

Friday, March 15, 3:42 PM

Free-agent tight end Chris Manhertz is signing with the New York Giants, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Giants have Darren Waller and Daniel Bellinger on the roster and signed former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Jack Stoll this week, so the position is getting crowded behind Waller. Manhertz has caught just 26 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns in his eight-year career with the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Denver Broncos, so he will not be on the fantasy radar in 2024. He is primarily a blocking tight end, and he could be buried on the depth chart.

Tuesday, September 16, 12:45 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer was a savvy waiver-wire pickup heading into Week 2 because star tight end Brock Bowers was questionable to play on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a knee injury he picked up in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots. However, Bowers was inactive in Monday's 20-9 loss and caught five of his eight targets for 38 yards. Meanwhile, Mayer once again took a back seat to Bowers in a Raiders offense that failed to find the end zone all night. The 24-year-old hauled in both of his targets for just nine yards against a stingy and stick Chargers D. The Raiders will continue to use Mayer alongside Bowers, but he's a distant No. 2 in Chip Kelly's offense and should only be rostered in TE-premium leagues. Mayer will not be a realistic fantasy starter going into Week 3 against the Washington Commanders.