Who Should I Start? Michael Mayer or Tucker Kraft


Week 1 Projections

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0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Michael Mayer News

Michael Mayer to See an Uptick in Production in New Offense?

Monday, July 6, 5:14 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers should be the focal point of new head coach Klint Kubiak's offense in 2026, but Kubiak's deployment of two tight ends on the field at the same time could help Michael Mayer's production as the top TE backup, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Beyond Bowers and Mayer, Ian Thomas and Carter Runyan could battle for the TE3 job in training camp this summer. Mayer, who was taken in the second round (35th overall) in 2023 out of Notre Dame, caught a career-high 35 passes on 50 targets for 328 yards and only one touchdown in 13 games (12 starts) for the Raiders in 2025 in his third year in the league. He was on the TE streaming radar with Bowers missing some time with injuries last year, but in the end, Mayer's numbers left a lot to be desired. His ceiling will obviously be capped because of Bowers' presence, but he could threaten for even more production if Kubiak involves him more as a pass-catcher alongside Bowers. Mayer should go undrafted in standard 12-team leagues, but if Bowers misses more time with an injury in 2026, he'll be a priority waiver-wire pickup at the position.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Tucker Kraft News

Tucker Kraft Should be "Full-Go" by Week 1

Tuesday, June 23, 10:15 AM

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) could start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list this summer, but he should be "full-go" by the time the team visits the division-rival Minnesota Vikings in the 2026 regular-season opener in September, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Kraft was arguably the league's best player at the TE position in 2025 before he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 9, as he had 32 catches on 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight starts. The 25-year-old former third-round pick (78th overall) in 2023 out of South Dakota State has looked swift while rehabbing on a side field during offseason workouts, and he said he recently hit 21.5 mph on foot. As long as Kraft doesn't suffer any sort of setbacks during training camp and the preseason, he'll be a popular breakout candidate at the TE position after his strong showing in eight games a year ago. The Packers let receiver Romeo Doubs walk in free agency and traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles, so even more targets could be coming Kraft's way in 2026. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 5 fantasy TE.


Michael Mayer vs. Tucker Kraft

Still trying to decide between Mayer and Kraft? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Michael Mayer is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Tucker Kraft is projected to score 0.0 points.