Michael Mayer

Brock Bowers is a bonafide superstar TE who captured massive target share as a rookie. Mayer operates as second-fiddle to a generational talent, severely limiting ceiling.

Mayer was actively shopped in early offseason but no trade materialized. As new regime's non-draft pick, he faces job security pressure entering his 'money year' with limited leverage.

Brock Bowers is a generational talent who posted a historic rookie season (112-1194-5 in 2024) and remains the unquestioned alpha TE. Mayer's role is capped as long as Bowers is healthy and productive.

Brock Bowers is one of the most dominant TEs in the NFL and will command the overwhelming majority of TE targets in Las Vegas. Even in Kubiak's 12-personnel scheme, Mayer's ceiling as Bowers' supporting cast is a 40-50 catch, 400-yard season at best.

Brock Bowers is the unambiguous target focal point of Las Vegas's passing attack. When healthy, Bowers suppresses Mayer to a blocking-first secondary role with minimal standalone PPR relevance regardless of scheme.

Mayer is the clear TE2 behind elite Brock Bowers, who commands the lion's share of Las Vegas TE targets. His 19% target share and 5.7 PPG (TE #39) reflect a hard volume cap that limits weekly fantasy relevance as long as Bowers is healthy.

New HC Klint Kubiak consistently deploys heavy 12-personnel (2-TE sets) throughout his career as OC in Minnesota, Seattle, and New Orleans. Mayer is specifically noted as the inline TE complement to Bowers, giving him a structural role he has never had before — this is the most meaningful scheme upgrade of his career.

If Waller is traded/released or Mayer earns more snaps, significant target share growth is available; talented pass-catching TEs in this era command heavy volume.

If offensive coordinator Kubiak (architect of athletic TE usage) increases 2-TE sets or if Mayer earns passing-down snaps, significant target ceiling unlocked. Elite athletic tools align with modern NFL trends.

At 24.6 years, Mayer is entering his physical prime (TE peak ages 25-29). NFL favoritism toward athletic TE playmakers means his skill set should translate well as role expands beyond Bowers competition.

The Raiders are actively shopping Mayer to Carolina (Bryce Young needs receiving help) and Baltimore (Isaiah Likely departure). Either destination transforms him from a ceiling-capped TE2 into a featured starting TE — an immediate and dramatic value spike.