Mayer could be a sneaky Fantasy option this season, but he's not worth drafting in the majority of leagues. At best, you can add Mayer off the waiver wire if he starts the season playing well for the Raiders. Las Vegas has questions at receiver with Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker and Jack Bech as the top three guys atop the depth chart. As a result, the Raiders could use Mayer in tandem with Brock Bowers, and Mayer may get more targets than expected given his role in the offense. Obviously, Mayer would benefit the most if Bowers were to miss any time due to injury, and Mayer had four games in 2025 with at least five targets, averaging 11.8 PPR points per game over that span. Keep an eye on what happens in training camp, and Mayer could be a surprise low-end starter in 2026, even when Bowers is healthy.
Brock Bowers (knee) is not going to play in Week 1 against Miami and could miss multiple weeks. Enter Mayer, who is rostered in just 5 percent of leagues on CBS Sports at the time of publication, and could be used as a starter in all formats. Mayer played three games without Bowers in 2025 and averaged 13.9 PPR points over that span and 7.3 targets per game. This week, Mayer is facing a Dolphins defense that was No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to tight ends in 2025, and he should see plenty of targets. I like Mayer as a No. 1 Fantasy tight end in all leagues with Bowers out.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: TEs to start
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Brock Bowers (knee) is not going to play in Week 1 against Miami and could miss multiple weeks. Enter Mayer, who is rostered in just 5 percent of leagues on CBS Sports at the time of publication, and could be used as a starter in all formats. Mayer played three games without Bowers in 2025 and averaged 13.9 PPR points over that span and 7.3 targets per game. This week, Mayer is facing a Dolphins defense that was No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to tight ends in 2025, and he should see plenty of targets. I like Mayer as a No. 1 Fantasy tight end in all leagues with Bowers out.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Likely to start at TE for Raiders in Week 1
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Mayer appears lined up to take on a pronounced role as the Raiders' top tight end in Sunday's season opener against the Dolphins after Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim Tuesday and is expected to be out for "a game or two," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Bowers missed five games in 2025 due to a PCL injury and bone bruise in his left knee, and Mayer suited up in four of those contests and logged 90-plus-percent snap shares in all of them. In those four games, Mayer put together an 18-196-1 receiving line on 24 targets, a level of production that could make him an appealing lineup option in both DFS and season-long leagues in Week 1.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Two catches in loss
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Mayer caught both of his targets for eight yards in Thursday night's 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers.
Mayer had a quick night, acquiring both receptions on the Raiders' second offensive drive of the game. The No. 2 tight end behind Brock Bowers will see the most usage in 12-personnel packages as a supplemental blocker and pass catcher throughout the 2026 season.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Back at practice
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Mayer (nose) returned to practice Thursday, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Mayer suffered a nose injury during Monday's session, but he's back at practice and thus slated to continue to work behind top TE Brock Bowers. Though Bowers will no doubt see heavy volume this coming season, Mayer also figures to make his mark in the two-TE formations the Raiders figure to utilize regularly, with their WR corps very much a work in progress.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Hurts nose Monday
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Mayer left practice early Monday with a nose injury, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
While McFadden describes the tight end's issue as a "busted nose," coach Klint Kubiak noted after Monday's practice that Mayer should be fine. That said, it's possible the 2023 second-rounder's practice participation will be impacted some by the issue in the short term. When healthy, Mayer is set to work behind star tight end Brock Bowers, but with the Raiders' WR corps a work in progress, the team's offense could feature frequent two-TE formations, a context that may result in a degree of fantasy utility for Mayer in deeper formats.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Could benefit from two-TE offense
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Mayer is poised for a complementary role behind Brock Bowers in head coach Klint Kubiak's offense, which is expected to feature frequent two-tight end formations, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Mayer enters the final year of his rookie contract with an opportunity to carve out the biggest role of his NFL career, per Jared Feinberg of SI.com. While Bowers remains the focal point of the passing game for new quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza, Mayer's combination of in-line blocking and reliable short-area receiving makes him an ideal fit for Kubiak's outside-zone scheme and heavy personnel packages. If Las Vegas leans into an approach heavy on 12 personnel, Mayer could see consistent enough snaps to surpass the career-best 35-328-1 receiving line he recorded while suiting up for 13 regular-season games last year.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Three catches in victory
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Mayer caught three of five targets for 47 yards in Sunday's 14-12 win over the Chiefs.
Mayer was able to pace the team with 47 yards while reeling in at least three passes for the fifth time in his last eight contests. The tight end finished his third campaign in Las Vegas having caught 35 of 50 targets for 328 yards and one touchdown over 13 regular-season contests. Mayer will enter next year as the top reserve option behind Brock Bowers (knee) at tight end with the Raiders.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: TEs to start
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Mayer started for the Raiders in Week 17 against the Giants with Brock Bowers (knee) out, and Mayer had nine catches for 89 yards on 10 targets. He has now played three games this season without Bowers, and Mayer has scored at least 16 PPR points in two of those games. The Chiefs have allowed two tight ends in their past three games to score at least 10.1 PPR points, and Mayer has top-10 upside in all leagues in Week 18.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Week 18 Waiver Priority List
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Brock Bowers (knee) was out in Week 17 against the Giants, and Mayer had a huge game with nine catches for 89 yards on 10 targets. Bowers is out for Week 18 against Kansas City, and the Raiders also will likely be without Geno Smith (ankle). Look for Kenny Pickett to lean on Mayer against the Chiefs, and he should be considered a low-end starter in all leagues in Week 18. Mayer has now scored at least 16 PPR points in two of three games that he has played without Bowers this season.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Fills in admirably for Bowers
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Mayer recorded nine receptions on 10 targets for 89 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.
The Raiders didn't get much going through the air, but Mayer was responsible for the majority of the limited production. He led the team in every receiving statistic and logged five receptions of at least 11 yards. This was easily Mayer's most productive game of the season -- which came in the absence of Brock Bowers (knee) -- and he should be a favorite target of Kenny Pickett in Week 18 against the Chiefs.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Slated for TE1 duties sans Bowers
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The Raiders placed Brock Bowers (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday, which means Mayer will serve as the Raiders' No. 1 tight end for the final two games of the regular season, beginning with Sunday's game against the Giants.
Mayer has operated as the backup tight end for most of the campaign, though his best outing of the season -- five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown in a Week 6 win against the Titans -- came when Bowers was sidelined. With Bowers done for the year, Mayer will operate as the Raiders' top tight end in Week 17 and 18 while Ian Thomas and Carter Runyon provide depth at the position.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Earns three targets in loss
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Mayer caught one of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans.
Mayer has not caught more than one pass in a single contest since Week 11, though he played 36 of 54 offensive snaps for the Raiders on Sunday. Meanwhile, fellow tight end Brock Bowers paced the team with five receptions on as many targets for 33 yards and a score.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Logs full practice Thursday
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Mayer (ankle) practiced fully Thursday.
Mayer, who has missed two straight games, was limited Wednesday, but the tight end's full participation Thursday paves the way for him to rejoin the Raiders' lineup Sunday against the Eagles. With a 22-182-1 line on 32 targets in nine games this season, Mayer carries modest fantasy upside into Week 15 action in his complementary role working alongside fellow TE Brock Bowers, who leads the team in catches (53), targets (72), receiving yards (619) and receiving TDs (six).
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Out again in Week 14
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Mayer (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Broncos.
Mayer hasn't been able to practice since he sustained an ankle injury Week 12 against the Browns, and while he'll be absent for a second consecutive contest Sunday, coach Pete Carroll expressed optimism that the third-year pro will be able to return Week 15 at Philadelphia on Sunday, Dec. 14, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com. With Mayer sidelined again, Ian Thomas and Carter Runyon will take on the TE reps that don't go to top option Brock Bowers.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Misses another practice
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Mayer (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.
Mayer didn't practice last week before being ruled out for Sunday's loss to the Chargers. Another DNP on Wednesday clouds the TE's Week 14 status, but Mayer's outlook for this weekend's game against the Broncos could improve if he returns to practice Thursday or Friday.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Ruled out versus Chargers
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Mayer (ankle) won't play Sunday against the Chargers.
Mayer didn't practice this week, with his next chance to see game action set to arrive Sunday, Dec. 7 against the Broncos. In Mayer's absence this weekend, Ian Thomas and Carter Runyon will work behind Las Vegas' top tight end Brock Bowers.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Misses practice Wednesday
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Mayer (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.
Mayer exited this past Sunday's loss to the Browns after logging 13 snaps on offense, and the tight end's DNP on Wednesday clouds his Week 13 status. Mayer now has two more chances to practice before the Raiders unveil their final injury designations ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Earns four targets in MNF loss
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Mayer caught three of four targets for 13 yards in Monday's 33-16 loss to the Cowboys.
Mayer played 77 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps as they continue leaning into 12 personnel, but his 4.3 yards per reception marked a season low, and fellow tight end Brock Bowers paced the team in receiving with a 7-72-0 line on 12 targets. Expect a similar level of involvement for Mayer against the Browns in Week 12.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Three catches in Week 10
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Mayer caught three of four targets for 22 yards in Thursday's 10-7 loss to the Broncos.
Mayer had more targets and catches than Brock Bowers, who caught one of three targets for 31 yards. Bowers had an 83 percent snap share compared to Mayer's mark of 62 percent. Given the underwhelming state of Vegas' wide receiver room, the Raiders likely will continue to keep both tight ends involved in the passing game. The team's next game is Monday, Nov. 17 at home against the Cowboys.
