Who Should I Start? Theo Johnson or Michael Mayer

Saturday, December 27, 1:04 PM

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (illness) has ruled out for his team's Week 17 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders due to an illness. Johnson was a late addition to the injury report on Friday, and he will not travel with the team to Las Vegas. The 24-year-old has functioned as the Giants' TE1 all season long, recording 45 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns on 74 targets across 15 games. He's played at least 70% of New York's offensive snaps in every game in 2025. In his absence, Daniel Bellinger will likely step in as the lead receiving tight end for the Giants. Bellinger has hauled in 15 catches for 237 yards and a touchdown on 21 targets across 14 games so far this season. Despite the improved playing time outlook, he profiles as a risky start for fantasy managers in Week 17.

Monday, December 29, 9:33 AM

Las Vegas Raiders third-year player out of Notre Dame, Michael Mayer, stepped in for the injured Brock Bowers (knee) on Sunday, and dominated, hauling in nine of his 10 targets for 89 yards. The 10 targets were the most on the team, with Tre Tucker with the second most at six targets. With Bowers landing on the Injured Reserve and set to miss the rest of the 2025 season, Mayer will have an opportunity to continue to showcase his skill set for one more game before the regular season is over. Entering Week 18, Mayer will be in the low-end TE1 conversation against the Kansas City Chiefs, who also have had their fair share of injuries. The biggest question to monitor with Mayer would be whether Geno Smith (ankle) or Kenny Pickett will be throwing him passes. Regardless, Mayer should dominate target share, and because of that, find himself as a valuable fantasy asset in most 12-team or larger leagues.