Who Should I Start? Drew Sample or Michael Mayer

BENCH

Week 7 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
2.6 0.0 0.0 1.3 9.7 0.1

Drew Sample News

Drew Sample Still Not a Starting Fantasy Option in Week 4 Despite Workload

Saturday, September 27, 2:08 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample has only three catches this season, with one resulting in a trip to the end zone. The 29-year-old has logged more snaps than Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant (foot) through the first three weeks of the 2025 campaign. However, both have received more attention from quarterbacks Joe Burrow (toe) and Jake Browning. The Bengals offense is a mess, which has been a surprise to most. As a result, it's hard to trust anyone on that side of the ball. Granted, Sample should continue to lead the position in snaps, especially with his abilities as a blocker. Still, while he will likely add a few more scores to his resume before the end of the season, he's not consistent enough to be considered a starting fantasy option in any format in Week 4 versus the Broncos.

START

Week 7 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
6.9 0.0 0.0 3.2 27.5 0.2

Michael Mayer News

Michael Mayer Emerging as a Viable Waiver-Wire Target

Monday, October 19, 5:19 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer bounced back from a disappointing outing in Week 5 with a strong game in Week 6, recording seven catches for 95 yards on nine targets against the Buffalo Bills. Mayer has now logged at least seven catches and 80 receiving yards in two of his last three games, and he's racked up 28 catches for 266 yards and a touchdown on 34 targets across six games this season. While Mayer is the TE2 on his own team behind Brock Bowers, Las Vegas' tendency to deploy two tight end formations allows both players to be productive. The Raiders are also lacking high-end production from their wide receiver corps, which should allow for Mayer to keep seeing an elevated target share. In leagues where Mayer is available on the waiver wire, he could be a worthy waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

Drew Sample vs. Michael Mayer

Still trying to decide between Sample and Mayer? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Drew Sample is projected to score 2.6 points this week while Michael Mayer is projected to score 6.9 points.