Who Should I Start? Michael Mayer or Brock Bowers

Tuesday, September 16, 12:45 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer was a savvy waiver-wire pickup heading into Week 2 because star tight end Brock Bowers was questionable to play on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a knee injury he picked up in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots. However, Bowers was inactive in Monday's 20-9 loss and caught five of his eight targets for 38 yards. Meanwhile, Mayer once again took a back seat to Bowers in a Raiders offense that failed to find the end zone all night. The 24-year-old hauled in both of his targets for just nine yards against a stingy and stick Chargers D. The Raiders will continue to use Mayer alongside Bowers, but he's a distant No. 2 in Chip Kelly's offense and should only be rostered in TE-premium leagues. Mayer will not be a realistic fantasy starter going into Week 3 against the Washington Commanders.

Wednesday, September 17, 7:25 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) injured his knee in the season-opening win over the New England Patriots and was questionable to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football in Week 2. Bowers ended up playing, handling 77 percent of the offensive snaps while catching five of his eight targets for a disappointing 38 yards in a 20-9 loss. As long as the 22-year-old former first-rounder doesn't have a setback with his knee at practice later this week, he should be ready to roll for a nice Week 3 matchup against the Washington Commanders. Washington has allowed the fourth-most half-PPR points to opposing tight ends through two weeks, so Bowers could be primed for a big day this Sunday. He is already one of the top TEs in the NFL after posting a 112-1,194-5 line on 153 targets in 17 games in his rookie year in 2024.