Who Should I Start? Durham Smythe or Michael Mayer

Thursday, March 6, 2:33 PM

The Chicago Bears signed former Miami Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe to a one-year deal on Thursday, according to NFL.com. The former fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame has played his entire seven-year career with Miami but was released this offseason. Overall, the 28-year-old has hauled in 132 receptions for 1,228 yards and three touchdowns in 112 career games. Smythe is best utilized as a blocker, and with Chicago trading for former Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Jonah Jackson and former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Joe Thuney, it's evident they want to improve quickly in run and pass blocking. Smythe could help Chicago's offense in 2025 under new head coach Ben Johnson, but he's unlikely to be on the fantasy football radar.

Friday, September 12, 12:19 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer may be due for an elevated workload this Monday night when he faces off against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mayer saw an increased snapshare in Week 1's win over the New England Patriots when teammate Brock Bowers (knee) picked up a knee injury. Bowers was tagged with a DNP on Thursday, and with the Raiders playing on Monday night, it's possible we won't know his definitive status in time for Sunday roster decisions. In the case he can't go, Mayer would slot in as Las Vegas' de facto TE1 and should see a good bit of work in the passing game. If Bowers plays, the Notre Dame product would be difficult to trust, particularly in a difficult matchup. Mayer comes in as RotoBaller's PPR TE39 ahead of Week 2.