Who Should I Start? Jake Ferguson or Michael Mayer

Friday, June 20, 3:19 PM

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson recently divulged to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the knee injury he sustained in Week 1 of 2024 was a season-long issue. However, he isn't using that as an excuse for his subpar campaign. "My knee hurt, for sure," said Ferguson. "The concussion was weird. But I've said this before: if I'm on the field, I should be able to give it my all." After a strong 2023 (71/761/5), the 26-year-old regressed last season -- failing to score a touchdown or top 500 yards in 14 appearances. He's an excellent bounce-back candidate ahead of 2025, with head coach Brian Schottenheimer noting, "the look in his eyes and the way his body looks...the way he's moving has been noticeably different in a good way." Ferguson will have the newly acquired George Pickens to contend with for targets this year, but the Cowboys' lack of appeal in their RB room could signal a third straight season with a top 12 passing rate in the league.

Monday, June 30, 9:19 PM

The Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore reports that the Las Vegas Raiders are not interested in trading tight end Michael Mayer. It comes after reports that the Miami Dolphins were interested in acquiring Mayer from the Raiders after trading tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday. Mayer is scheduled to make $1.6 million in 2025 and $2 million in 2026 and took a back seat in 2024 to rookie Brock Bowers, catching just 21 of 32 targets for 156 yards and no touchdowns in 11 games (eight starts) in his second year in the NFL. The 23-year-old Notre Dame product caught 27 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. There have been reports suggesting he'll have a bigger role in 2025 in two-tight end sets in new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's scheme, but as long as Bowers is healthy, he'll be the second fiddle at the position if he stays in Vegas.