Who Should I Start? Michael Mayer or Colston Loveland

Friday, December 19, 11:58 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer remains off the fantasy radar ahead of Week 16 against the Houston Texans. Mayer was productive during his short stint as the team's starting tight end earlier this season, but he fell off the fantasy radar when superstar tight end Brock Bowers returned to the mix mid-year. Mayer has dealt with his own injury problems, too, as the 24-year-old was sidelined for Weeks 13 and 14. In his return to action last week, he played just 19% of the offensive snaps and wasn't targeted in Vegas' Kenny Pickett-led offense. Geno Smith will return as the Raiders' starting quarterback this upcoming Sunday, but that shouldn't change Mayer's fantasy outlook much. He is averaging just 2.0 catches, 15.3 yards, and zero touchdowns in games where Bowers is active.

Friday, December 19, 9:57 PM

Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland hauled in four of five targets for 63 yards in the dominant 31-3 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Loveland had his second-best showing of the 2025 season in Week 15, and injuries across the Bears' receiving room put Loveland in a good spot entering this week. Both Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) have been ruled out for Week 16, which could cause the Bears to rely on two-TE sets much more often this week. The Packers have been strong against tight ends this season, allowing the fifth-fewest receiving yards to tight ends this season. While the rookie tight end is in a prime position to have a big outing against the Packers, he's still a low-end TE1 in Week 16 who carries a ton of risk in this Bears system.