Schefter: Michael Mayer’s role ‘expected to grow’

This is the second time in three weeks that Mayer has popped up for a big performance. With Brock Bowers blanketed for much of the first half, Mayer stepped up to catch five passes for 52 yards in the first half, and he ripped off an impressive 28-yard reception in the second half on a drive that ended with a Matt Gay field goal. Playing behind Bowers continues to make Mayer a risky fantasy bet, but he’s averaging 6.7 targets in his last three games, which is buoyed by this week’s nine-target game and a 10-target outing in Week 4 against the Chiefs. With a few reliable tight ends on bye in Week 7, Mayer could have some viability as a dart throw next week against the Rams.

Mayer and the rest of the Vegas pass catchers took a backseat to Brock Bowers, who had a team-leading ten targets for 110 yards and a touchdown before the Raiders pulled their starters in the fourth quarter of this blowout loss. Mayer was fresh off an 82-yard outing (on ten targets) against Kansas City. He should remain on waivers ahead of Week 6’s game against the Bills.

Mayer’s 10 targets were just one fewer than what Brock Bowers (11) saw on the day. Mayer made the most of his opportunities, racking up 82 yards—the second most in his career and saw four of his receptions come on the Raiders’ first four drives of the game. On the Raiders’ fourth drive, Mayer hauled in passes of two, seven, and 17 yards, with his longest catch setting up a 48-yard field goal just before halftime to put them up 13-10. We shouldn’t expect this level of production from Mayer on a weekly basis, but the Raiders’ underwhelming WR corps could pave the way for more opportunities for Mayer going forward after this solid outing. There’s a lot to like here, but Mayer will be a boom-or-bust TE2 next week against the Patriots until we see reliable target totals on a more consistent basis, while he shares the field with Brock Bowers.

Mayer scored with just under six minutes left in the first half. Coach Klint Kubiak sent Brock Bowers in motion, back and forth across the formation, behind the line of scrimmage, before Kirk Cousins executed the play-action fake. Mayer ran an out route from the slot and shook Saints defender Justin Reid on the cut before quickly hauling in the pass. Mayer’s other two catches both went for double-digit yardage gains. He will be a viable TE2 moving forward, with defenses focused on stopping Bowers.

Brock Bowers missed his second game of the year while recovering from a mensicus trim procedure, giving Mayer another opportunity to start. He led the Raiders in routes but failed to make a big impact in the box score, logging a measly 14 percent target share. Mayer is generally in the TE2 mix when Bowers is out, but even then he isn’t a particularly high-upside option. With Bowers expected to return next week, Mayer can be sent back to the waiver wire on the upcoming waivers run.

Mayer was seemingly set for a sizable workload, going 3-of-3 for 21 yards on the Raiders’ first drive. He caught his fourth pass on the second drive, which was punched out and recovered by the Dolphins, but the play was overturned. For his part, Mayer looked good on short in-breakers and out routes, and his six receptions tie for a team-high. The Raiders simply got up to a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter and controlled the game thereafter, leaving the passing offense to take a backseat role to the Raiders’ ground game. Mayer can be started as a TE1 again next week against the Chargers.

The deal was first reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Mayer’s deal includes $30 million guaranteed and his $15 million average annual value is third among tight ends. The Raiders selected Mayer in the second-round (35th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He had 300 yards as a rookie and the Raiders drafted Brock Bowers 13th overall the following year. Mayer is firmly on the fantasy radar for Week 1 against the Dolphins with Bowers (knee) sidelined, but his value is unstable as the Raiders’ second tight end.

Earlier today, Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said he was initially optimistic that Bowers could play in Week 1, even after undergoing a recent meniscus trim, which is surprising. Kubiak, however, declined to discuss an updated return timeline for his star tight end. We do not yet know when he is expected back. In the meantime, Michael Mayer is a TE1 this week.

Raiders No. 2 TE Michael Mayer should be added wherever available. On the plus side, this does not appear to be a long-term absence, but missing Bowers for a couple of games is obviously concerning. According to Schefter, Bowers “got banged up ‘a little in camp’ and the injury was diagnosed last week.” With any luck, fantasy managers can expect to get their TE1 back for the Raiders’ Week 3 game against the Saints. Mayer is a TE1 in the meantime.

Someone has to catch passes here, and the Raiders don’t have a single receiver who has cracked 700 yards in an NFL season. Both GM John Spytek and Kubiak have touted the idea of playing in bigger personnel. It’s certainly possible that Mayer gets more of a role in 2026, but with Brock Bowers ahead of him in the pecking order, Mayer probably belongs in the low-end TE2 pecking order until we see a firm role.