Who Should I Start? Michael Mayer or Tanner Conner

Tuesday, November 4, 12:38 PM

ESPN's Ryan McFadden writes that both Las Vegas Raiders tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer should see an increase in targets after the team traded receiver Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday. Mayer was targeted seven times and had three catches for 26 yards in Sunday's overtime loss to the Jaguars. The Raiders used 12 personnel (two tight ends) more than any game this season in Week 9. In addition to Bowers and Mayer seeing more targets going forward, Tre Tucker will be the team's unquestioned WR1, with rookies Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr., and veteran Tyler Lockett seeing the field more. Although Mayer was targeted a season-high-tying seven times on Sunday, Bowers still overshadowed him with a monster 12-127-3 line. As long as Bowers remains healthy, Mayer will be a touchdown-dependent TE2 in fantasy.

Thursday, October 30, 10:23 AM

In the TE3 range for Week 9, Miami Dolphins tight end Tanner Conner should not be considered a starting option when Miami takes on the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football. The fourth-year tight end is playing more with Darren Waller (pectoral) on injured reserve, but isn't earning nearly enough work in the passing game to be relied upon in a fantasy lineup. Despite Waller missing significant chunks of the season, Conner has played more than half of Miami's snaps only once in eight weeks and has yet to catch more than two passes in a game this season. As Miami leans on receiver Jaylen Waddle, running back De'Von Achane, and receiver Malik Washington for the majority of its targets, there isn't enough receiving opportunity for Conner to be a fantasy option.