Who Should I Start? John Bates or Michael Mayer

Friday, December 20, 7:20 PM

Washington Commanders tight end John Bates could be in store for an increased role, with Zach Ertz (concussion) listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz suffered this concussion last weekend and could not practice all week, which suggests he will face an uphill battle to pass the league's protocol. When filling in for Ertz last weekend, Bates brought in his lone target for six yards. Earlier this season, Bates caught six of his nine targets for 64 yards and averaged a solid 10.7 yards per reception. However, given his lack of offensive production, even in a reserve role, makes him a high-risk TE2 facing the Eagles. Fantasy managers should look for an alternative option as Bates will have a tough task ahead of him in his first start as the Eagles have allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to the position this season.

Monday, January 6, 10:15 AM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer caught all four of his targets for 21 yards during Sunday's Week 18 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Mayer has been routinely out-produced by Brock Bowers this season, but that didn't stop him from playing 81.3 percent of the offensive snaps in the Raiders' regular-season finale. That represented his second-highest rate of the season, and it showed that the Raiders can have success operating out of two-tight end sets. Mayer finished his second pro season with 21 catches and 156 yards through 10 games, remaining a solid short-yardage outlet for quarterback Aidan O'Connell while Bowers did more work downfield and after the catch. There's no question that Bowers remains the No. 1 tight end in Las Vegas (and all of fantasy football), but Mayer could sneak onto the end of the fantasy radar in deeper PPR leagues next season.