Who Should I Start? Michael Mayer or Will Kacmarek


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
5.0 0.0 0.0 2.2 21.3 0.1

Michael Mayer News

Michael Mayer Returns to Practice Following Nose Injury

Thursday, August 6, 10:16 AM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (nose) returned to training camp practice on Thursday, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Mayer missed a few practices after busting his nose during practice on Monday. The 25-year-old will return to working as the No. 2 tight end in Vegas behind Brock Bowers. The former second-rounder in 2023 from Notre Dame has yet to really make an impact for fantasy managers in his first three seasons in the NFL, and that will likely continue as long as Bowers stays healthy. Bowers dealt with a knee injury last year, which allowed Mayer to have career highs in catches (35), targets (50), and receiving yards (328) while scoring just once in 13 games played. The Raiders figure to use more two-tight-end sets in 2026 under new head coach Klint Kubiak, but that's unlikely to be enough to make Mayer a weekly starting option, even in two-TE fantasy leagues. Mayer opens his fourth NFL season ranked as RotoBaller's No. 35 fantasy TE. If Bowers misses time with an injury again, Mayer would become a priority waiver-wire addition.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
2.6 0.0 0.0 1.2 10.6 0.1

Will Kacmarek News

Dolphins Select Will Kacmarek With 87th Overall Pick

Friday, April 24, 6:34 PM

The Miami Dolphins have selected Ohio State tight end prospect Will Kacmarek with the 87th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Kacmarek spent three years at Ohio before joining the Buckeyes for his final two collegiate seasons. He had just 15 catches and two touchdowns during his final year at school, but he snuck his way into Day 2 of the draft because of his blocking ability. Widely regarded as the best blocking tight end in this year's draft, Kacmarek will provide plenty of protection for Malik Willis and De'Von Achane in a Dolphins offense that is expected to adopt a run-heavy approach in 2026. Although he should make an impact right away in the trenches, there's not much fantasy appeal here. He ranks outside the top 85 tight ends in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings, and he can be avoided in most rookie drafts.


Michael Mayer vs. Will Kacmarek

Still trying to decide between Mayer and Kacmarek? 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 5.0 points this week while Will Kacmarek is projected to score 2.6 points.