Who Should I Start? Michael Mayer or Luke Schoonmaker

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.

Friday, November 29, 10:18 AM

Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker caught five of six targets for 33 yards during Thursday's Week 13 win over the New York Giants. Schoonmaker established himself early in the contest as four of his five catches came within the first 32 minutes of the game. The 26-year-old has been playing quite admirably in the absence of Jake Ferguson (concussion). Over the last three games, he has 14 catches, 144 yards, one touchdown, and 34.4 fantasy points (PPR). Schoonmaker projects to drop off the fantasy radar as soon as Ferguson returns. However, if Ferguson can't play in Week 14, Schoonmaker would remain an intriguing low-end TE1 option.