MichaelMayer

News: 3 days agoMayer brought in six of seven targets for 32 yards in the Raiders' 27-13 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.

Spin: Filling the No. 1 tight end role with Brock Bowers (knee) sidelined, Mayer set the pace for the Raiders in targets while also tying for the team lead in receptions. Mayer gained 14 of his yards on one catch, so he was mired in an extreme short-area role for the majority of the afternoon. Nevertheless, he's proven capable of offering useful production as Bowers' fill-in on multiple occasions, although Mayer could revert to his usual reserve role in light of reports that Bowers could be ready for his season debut as early as next Sunday's Week 2 road matchup against the Chargers.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Mayer enters his first contract year expected to resume his role as Las Vegas' oft-utilized No. 2 TE behind Brock Bowers. The 2023 second-round pick has yet to come close to playing a full season, nor has he emerged as a reliable fantasy option. Last season, he averaged 2.9 targets and 3.4 fantasy points in nine games with Bowers, compared to 6.0 targets and 10.9 PPG in the four games in which Bowers was sidelined. A short-range target (career 5.5 aDOT) with minimal goal line work (one career end zone target), Mayer is way off the fantasy radar. He should be added to rosters only if Bowers misses time.