Who Should I Start? Tee Higgins or Michael Mayer

Saturday, December 27, 11:14 AM

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins only has 49 catches for 720 yards in 13 games this season. On the other hand, he's certainly made up for it by amassing 10 touchdowns, tying him with Jaxson Smith-Njigba for the third-highest mark at the position. Granted, fantasy managers would love to see more volume for the former Clemson Tiger. Still, not many (if any) can say that they have scored at least once in six of their last seven appearances. With a favorable matchup with the injury-plagued Cardinals defense on tap for Week 17, Higgins ceiling is as high as ever. Keep him starting in all fantasy formats.

Sunday, January 4, 7:54 AM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer should continue to operate in a high-volume role during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders recently placed Brock Bowers (knee) on injured reserve, ending his season and putting Mayer into the starting role for the final two games of the year. Last weekend, he exploded as the top target in Geno Smith's offense, catching nine of 10 targets for 89 yards. In total, throughout the three games that Bowers has missed and Mayer has played this year, the latter tight end has 15 catches, 149 yards, and one touchdown. A quarterback change is expected in Week 18, though, as Kenny Pickett steps in for the injured Smith (ankle). Pickett struggled to the tune of 64 yards and one turnover in his lone start this year, but he should still be able to support a fantasy-relevant role for Mayer on Sunday. At worst, Mayer will operate as a security blanket in case Pickett struggles to throw the ball deep or needs to get the ball out quickly. As it stands, he ranks as the overall TE8 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 18.