Who Should I Start? Jonnu Smith or Brock Bowers

Monday, September 8, 3:32 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith was a mixed bag in his debut with the team in the wild 34-32 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Smith led the team with five receptions on six targets and found the end zone for the first time in 2025, but he accounted for only 15 receiving yards and averaged a paltry three yards per reception. The 30-year-old played in 66 percent of the offensive snaps compared to 50% for fellow TE Pat Freiermuth, who caught all three of his targets for 28 yards. It's good news that quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked Smith's way six times (tied for second on the team), but he's certainly not going to be anywhere close to his 88-884-8 line in a breakout season with Miami last year. As long as Freiermuth stays healthy, fantasy managers should consider Smith a touchdown-dependent TE2.

Monday, September 8, 3:53 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is considered day-to-day on Monday after he left the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday and did not return, according to head coach Pete Carroll. Bowers also downplayed his knee injury and said there are no concerns, suggesting that he should be just fine to play in a Week 2 divisional tilt next Monday night versus the Los Angeles Chargers. The 22-year-old second year tight end could be rested once the Raiders open their practice week on Thursday, but all signs are pointing to him being available as a must-start TE this coming week. Bowers was lobbying to return to Sunday's game against the Pats, but the Raiders didn't want to take any chances with a player who has quickly become one of the best TEs in the NFL. Despite leaving early, Bowers still managed five catches on eight targets for 103 yards.