Who Should I Start? Michael Mayer or Cade Stover

Thursday, January 1, 9:10 AM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer had the most productive game of his NFL career in Week 17, hauling in nine of 10 targets for 89 yards in the 34-10 loss to the New York Giants. With star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) on injured reserve, Mayer will have a full workload for the remainder of the 2025 season. Mayer played 93% of the snaps in Week 17, had a 36% target share, and accounted for over 50% of the team's passing yards. Quarterback Geno Smith threw for only 176 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions against the Giants, which will cap the tight end's upside if his struggles continue. With a tough matchup upcoming against the Kansas City Chiefs, who rank eighth in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, Mayer will be a safe, high-volume option at the position in Week 18.

Saturday, December 6, 6:57 AM

Houston Texans tight end Cade Stover had a new role in Week 13, serving as the team's short-yardage specialist and taking four carries for three yards in addition to catching both of his targets for 16 yards as the team's second tight end. Stover's four carries came on 3rd- or 4th-and-one situations, and he converted two of the four chances for first downs. Three of the carries came in the red zone, and he has the potential to score a short-yardage touchdown in the package if the opportunity arises in the coming weeks. Stover has played three games this season and has six catches for 38 yards, so he's a little involved in the passing game as well. The second-year tight end from Ohio State is only the No. 48 TE in RotoBaller's rankings in Week 14 against the Chiefs, so he can be left on the waiver wire in most formats, but it is interesting that he's getting short-yardage work since it does raise his potential production.