Who Should I Start? Trey McBride or Michael Mayer


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
14.9 0.0 0.0 6.1 61.1 0.4

Trey McBride News

Trey McBride Is a Dynasty Cornerstone, Not a Sell-High

Thursday, July 16, 12:26 PM

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride is the kind of player dynasty managers can overthink after a monster season. He caught 126 passes for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, one year after going 111-1,146-2. The 169 targets matter more than the touchdown spike. McBride has now topped 100 catches in back-to-back seasons, something no tight end had done before, and Arizona has him under contract through 2029. There is some uncertainty at quarterback, but Jacoby Brissett enters camp as the likely starter. Gardner Minshew II is the veteran alternative, while third-round rookie Carson Beck looks more like a longer-term option. Mike LaFleur has already talked about finding different ways to use McBride in the new offense. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson remain part of a capable receiving group, but that did not keep McBride from leading the Cardinals in catches, yards, and receiving touchdowns last year. RotoBaller ranks him as the dynasty TE2. Contenders should be willing to pay for the weekly advantage, and rebuilders have no reason to move him just because his value is high. It would take another cornerstone asset, plus a meaningful piece, to make selling worthwhile.


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 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.


Trey McBride vs. Michael Mayer

Still trying to decide between McBride and Mayer? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Trey McBride is projected to score 14.9 points this week while Michael Mayer is projected to score 5.0 points.