Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Michael Mayer

Sunday, June 9, 5:18 PM

New York Giants tight end Darren Waller announced his retirement on Sunday. There was talk about this, so the news isn't surprising to many. The 2015 sixth-round pick spent his first two seasons in Baltimore before spending five seasons with Oakland/Las Vegas. It was with the Raiders where he made a name for himself, posting back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns and becoming widely known as one of the NFL's top tight ends. Unfortunately, Waller battled injuries over the years, and he finished his final season in the league with the Giants by amassing only 552 yards and a touchdown off 52 catches. But with Waller now out of the equation, Daniel Bellinger and rookie Theo Johnson are the favorites to fill the void at the position moving ahead, with both men likely battling throughout training camp for the right to sit atop the depth chart.

Wednesday, June 4, 3:17 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is in tremendous shape and has been a standout performer at OTAs this offseason, according to team reporter Vincent Bonsignore. Mayer was a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after a fantastic career at Notre Dame, but he has not had the impact many hoped for when he began his professional career. Injuries, poor quarterback play, and the team's selection of Brock Bowers in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft have led to little production through his first two seasons. Overall, the 25-year-old has hauled in 48 receptions for 460 yards and two touchdowns. A potential Year 3 improvement would be great for the Raiders' 12-personnel groupings, but it would be a surprise if Mayer ends up on the fantasy football radar if Bowers stays healthy. The ideal outcome for Mayer's fantasy value is a trade to another team.