Michael Mayer Fantasy Stats

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is coming off a quiet Week 2 performance, and his impact in Week 3 greatly hinges on whether Brock Bowers (knee) makes his season debut. Mayer was a solid fill-in for Bowers in Week 1 when he caught six of seven targets for 32 yards against the Miami Dolphins, then saw less action in Week 2 and tallied just three receptions on four targets for 23 yards. It isn't readily clear who new quarterback Kirk Cousins' preferred targets are, though receivers like Tre Tucker and Jack Bech will likely get more looks if Bowers stays out another week. Mayers' status as a streaming option is strongly tied to whether Bowers plays, which fantasy managers need to keep an eye on ahead of Sunday's road battle against the New Orleans Saints.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer has filled in for Brock Bowers (knee) without doing much to force his way into fantasy lineups. Mayer caught six passes for 32 yards in Week 1, then followed with three receptions for 23 yards against the Chargers, giving him nine catches for 55 yards through two games. The bigger issue is Bowers' return. Head coach Klint Kubiak said Monday that Bowers will practice this week after missing the first two games, and he had already returned to a limited practice last Friday. If Bowers sits again, Mayer can still be used as a short-term streamer against New Orleans. If Bowers is cleared, Mayer becomes much harder to hold outside deeper formats. RotoBaller's Week 3 tight end waiver article still lists Mayer among the options to add, but its cut list also has him as a drop in most leagues. That split makes sense. Mayer's value right now depends almost entirely on whether Bowers needs another week.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer has big shoes to fill yet again in Week 2 against the host Los Angeles Chargers. With Brock Bowers (knee) doubtful to play on Sunday, Mayer inherits the TE1 role against a Bolts pass rush that allowed just 179.9 passing yards per game in 2025. Mayer was efficient in Week 1, catching six of seven targets and converting three first downs against the Miami Dolphins, though he logged just 32 yards and no touchdowns. Injuries have peppered the Notre Dame product's NFL career, and he has yet to play a full season since entering the league in 2023. However, his chemistry with new starting quarterback Kirk Cousins could lead to even more targets in Week 2. This is Mayer's opportunity to boost his production in Bowers' absence, making him a viable streaming option.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer took advantage of the starting job in Sunday's 27-13 win over Miami, catching six passes for 32 yards with Brock Bowers sidelined following a meniscus procedure. The yardage wasn't much, but six catches are enough to get attention at tight end. Mayer has done this before when the Raiders needed more from him. In the four games he played without Bowers last season, he totaled 18 receptions for 196 yards, accounting for more than half of his season production in both categories. Las Vegas also signed Mayer to a multi-year extension just before the opener. His Week 2 appeal now comes down largely to Bowers' availability. Bowers was initially expected to miss a game or two, so another start against the Chargers remains possible. If Bowers sits again, Mayer belongs near the top of the tight end streaming options on the waiver wire. His short-term fantasy value drops quickly once Bowers returns.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer played a limited role as a receiver in 2025, recording 35 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets across 13 games. However, with Raiders TE1 Brock Bowers (knee) sidelined, Mayer could step into an elevated target share in the Raiders' 2026 season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Across four games with Bowers inactive in 2025, Mayer recorded 18 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown on 24 targets. While his numbers may not leap off the page, Las Vegas should field an improved passing game with new head coach Klint Kubiak calling plays in 2026. The Dolphins also profile as a favorable matchup on paper for Mayer, as Miami allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends last season. All in all, Mayer projects as a low-end top-12 tight end option for fantasy managers in Week 1.

The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a three-year contract extension with tight end Michael Mayer that is reportedly worth $45 million, with $30 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. The $15 million per year ranks fourth among current tight ends, according to Rapoport. Mayer will slide into the starting lineup after Brock Bowers is set to miss 1-2 weeks this season. Mayer played in 13 games last season and caught 35 passes on 50 targets for 328 yards and one touchdown. Mayer makes for a good play in week 1 as the Raiders take on the Miami Dolphins in a home matchup. The Notre Dame product will look to maximize his value after receiving a lucrative deal and show that he is worthy of being paid as the No. 4 tight end on an annual basis.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer's pass-catching production has been limited over the past two seasons thanks to the presence of superstar Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee). However, the Raiders announced on Wednesday that Bowers recently had a meniscus trim and is now expected to miss the first one or two games of 2026. As a result, Mayer should operate as the Raiders' TE1 to begin the year. Across the four games he played in 2025 when Bowers was sidelined by injury, Mayer recorded 18 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown on 24 targets. The Raiders should have a more stable offensive environment in 2026 with Kirk Cousins at quarterback and Klint Kubiak calling plays. Ahead of a relatively favorable matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, Mayer could be a worthy tight end streamer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.

While all of the buzz is on Brock Bowers in Las Vegas -- and rightfully so -- don't count out Michael Mayer as a relevant deep-league fantasy tight end for the Raiders this season quite yet. Mayer is entering the final year of his contract in 2026 and has a lot to prove. Mayer is listed as the second tight end on the Raiders' depth chart, behind Bowers. While Bowers is likely to lead the team in targets, he will also get a lot of defensive attention. Las Vegas' wide receiver corps of Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, and Jack Bech, among others, is largely underwhelming on paper, which should allow Mayer to have opportunities in the passing game with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins at the helm. Despite this, Mayer is not necessarily somebody to roster just yet in standard redraft leagues. In fact, he is only rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues right now. He is somebody to monitor on the waiver wire as he currently ranks as RotoBaller's No. 33 tight end in PPR/half-PPR leagues. If the WR room struggles early on, Mayer could carve out a role on a weekly basis.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is one of the more talented backups in the NFL, but his fantasy relevance has been put on hold as long as he remains in the No. 2 role. Mayer is currently the backup to superstar tight end Brock Bowers, which means that his only real path to fantasy production is an injury to Bowers. We did see that come into play last year, as Mayer totaled 18 catches, 196 yards, and one touchdown across four games without Bowers. That came with Geno Smith at quarterback, so all pass catchers should have a higher ceiling this year with Kirk Cousins or Fernando Mendoza. The quarterback upgrade still isn't enough for managers to justify drafting Mayer, but he's a name to watch on the waiver wire and a potential deep-league dynasty stash in case Bowers has to miss any time.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer had a fast start to the preseason despite the 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Quarterback Kirk Cousins ended the first drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Mayer, who ended up with two receptions for 19 yards and that touchdown. With Raiders' TE1 Brock Bowers playing a single snap to start the game, Mayer had the opportunity to score. If Bowers were to miss any time this year, Mayer might have the best opportunity of his career to find success in what should be the best passing offense he has been a part of since entering the NFL. As RotoBaller's TE32 overall, Mayer likely won't be a major factor in redraft leagues but could prove to be an upside stash in dynasty leagues with this being the final year of his contract in Las Vegas.