Mayer was the third tight end drafted in the NFL Draft and should instantly compete with Austin Hooper for the targets vacated by Darren Waller's departure. Mayer's value is much higher in Dynasty than redraft, partially because Hooper is there and partially because rookie tight ends traditionally struggle to make a Fantasy impact. In redraft leagues, we aren't drafting him before Round 15, but that could rise with some camp buzz and a good preseason. In Dynasty leagues, he should be drafted in Round 2 of most rookie-only drafts. Don't be surprised if you have to wait a year or more, but Mayer has all the tools to eventually turn into a must-start Fantasy option in the right offense.
Mayer caught two of four targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 31-17 loss to Kansas City.
Mayer tied slot receiver Hunter Renfrow for third in team targets Sunday with each player recording four apiece. The rookie tight end has seen his role increase over the Raiders' last three games by averaging 4.7 targets while catching his first touchdown over that span. Mayer will look to continue developing in a starting role when Las Vegas returns from its bye to face the Vikings on Dec. 10.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Week 12 Waiver Priority List
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Mayer has scored at least 8.6 PPR points in each of his past two games against the Jets and Dolphins, and he has 10 targets over that span for seven catches, 65 yards and a touchdown. We'll see if he continues to get more targets from Aidan O'Connell, and Mayer is worth adding in deeper leagues for one percent of your FAB heading into Week 12 against Kansas City.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Bumps up production Sunday
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Mayer secured four of five targets for 46 yards in the Raiders' 20-13 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
The rookie tight end teamed up with first-year teammate Aidan O'Connell to tie for third on Las Vegas in receptions and targets while posting his second-highest catch and yardage tallies of his young career. Mayer has multiple receptions in all three games of O'Connell's current starting stint, and he could fill a solid role again in a Week 12 home matchup against a Chiefs defense that has done a very good job of limiting wide-receiver production.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Catches first TD of career
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Mayer caught three of five targets for 19 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 16-12 win over the Jets.
Mayer appeared to be having another quiet game while sitting at two catches for 12 yards to begin the fourth quarter. That was before the 22-year-old hauled in the game's lone touchdown on a short reception in the final period to secure victory for the Raiders. The second-round rookie still finished below 20 receiving yards for the fourth straight week despite scoring his first touchdown on the year, but that score could generate some looks from managers in deeper formats on waivers this week. However, his current small role on offense coupled with the lingering presence of veteran backup Austin Hooper (1-7-0) limits the rookie's potential heading into next Sunday's tilt against Miami.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Production remains low
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Mayer caught both of his targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 30-6 win over the Giants.
Josh Jacobs (26-98-2) and the Raiders' ground game were more than enough to make quick work of the reeling Giants, resulting in another low-usage game for Mayer. The rookie tight end continued to start over veteran Austin Hooper after the Raiders cleaned house this past week, but the latter's presence continues to eat into what little fantasy value Mayer has generated through nine weeks so far. Perhaps Las Vegas' new coaching staff will look to develop the 22-year-old with more targets in the second half of the season. Mayer's current role is simply too small to rely on as a starting option in fantasy for next Sunday's game against the Jets.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: One catch in Week 8 loss
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Mayer caught one of two targets for 19 yards in Monday's 26-14 loss to the Lions.
Mayer was one of four players that tied for second on the team in receiving yards behind Josh Jacobs' 27, as Jimmy Garoppolo (back) threw for only 126 yards in his return from a one-game absence. Fellow tight end Austin Hooper was among those four players, but Mayer has 133 receiving yards to Hooper's 49 in Garoppolo's last three starts. The rookie tight end let out some anger over Vegas' poor offensive performance with a huge hit on special teams, accounting for Mayer's first career tackle. Mayer and the rest of Vegas' passing game will look to get back on track in Week 9 against the Giants.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Earns four targets in loss
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Mayer caught two passes for 13 yards on four targets in Sunday's 30-12 loss to the Bears.
He once again played ahead of Austin Hooper, as the rookie tight end out-snapped the eight-year veteran 46 to 22, but Mayer's volume was disappointing while wide receivers Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers saw a combined 25 targets from quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Aidan O'Connell. Mayer will look to take better advantage of his recently expanded role against the Lions in Week 8, and he would likely benefit from the potential return of Jimmy Garoppolo (back) under center.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Sleeper TEs
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Mayer is coming off a big game in Week 6 against New England with five catches for 75 yards on six targets, and this could be the start of something big for the rookie tight end. I expect the former Notre Dame product to do well in Week 7 against the Bears. Chicago has allowed five tight ends to score at least 8.0 PPR points this season, including Logan Thomas and T.J. Hockenson in each of the past two weeks. Mayer is worth starting as a low-end No. 1 option in Week 7.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Week 7 Streamers (TE Preview)
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If Mayer becomes a starting tight end rest of season, we will view Week 6 as his breakout party. He set season highs in targets (6), receptions (5), yards (75) and played 81% of the snaps. There is no reason to think Josh McDaniels will go back to Austin Hooper, but I also understand if you would like to see more than one good game before you start him.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Leads LV with 75 yards
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Mayer brought in five of his six targets for 75 yards in Sunday's 21-17 win over the Patriots.
Mayer followed up his career-high 39 receiving yards from Week 5 by nearly doubling that mark in the win over New England. Part of the rookie's increased usage came as a response to the opposition focusing on star wideout Davante Adams (2-29-0) on Sunday, which opened up room for Mayer to operate in the middle of the field. The 2023 second-round pick has garnered nine targets over his last two games after totaling two through the first four games of the season. Mayer is still on the lower end of the fantasy tight end spectrum, but that could change with another productive outing against the Bears next Sunday.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Season-high 39 yards Monday
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Mayer had two receptions (on three targets) for 39 yards in Monday's 17-13 win over the Packers.
Mayer entered Monday's contest with just one catch for two yards on two targets across four games, so this was actually a significant step forward for the rookie as he adjusts to the pro level. Teammate Austin Hooper also had two catches in the win but generated just 11 yards with his limited opportunities. Las Vegas' timeshare has nullified any marginal value either tight end would have created as traditional starters. Mayer will look to build off his two-catch game as the Raiders stay put to host the Patriots in Week 6.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: First career reception in loss
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Mayer caught his only target for two yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Bills.
Mayer's first NFL reception came on the final play of the first half Sunday, but he failed to earn another target throughout the remainder of the contest, while fellow tight end Austin Hooper caught two passes for 20 yards. The TE duo has yet to find the end zone through the Raiders' first two games, but red-zone looks could be available against the Steelers in Week 3 if Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers are unable to clear the league's concussion protocol.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Tacks on two more catches
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Mayer recorded two receptions on two targets for 20 yards in Saturday's 31-16 loss to the Cowboys.
Mayer participated in his second consecutive preseason contest and saw run into the early second quarter. He showed rapport with Aidan O'Connell on a 13-yard connection, his longest gain of the exhibition schedule. It's possible that veteran Austin Hooper plays ahead of Mayer to start the regular season, but the rookie should have a significant role in the offense.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Scooped by Las Vegas
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The Raiders selected Mayer in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 35th overall.
Las Vegas dealt Darren Waller to the Giants this offseason, making tight end a need. The board set up well for them as only one tight end went in the first round, and the Raiders were able to get a player that many had ranked as the top prospect at this position. Mayer (6-4, 249) is a "complete" tight end in that he's an asset both as a blocker and as a receiver. The Notre Dame product carried the Irish passing game during his three years in South Bend, leading them in receptions each of those seasons and finishing with 180 career grabs. His combine performance was something of a disappointment, as his 4.7 speed was not ideal for a player under 250 pounds. Still, Mayer projects to be in the mix right away for not just run-blocking snaps, but targets as well.
