RADIO
Brock Bowers Looks Like Himself Again
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers spent most of last season fighting through a knee injury. This summer has looked a lot more like the player who caught 112 passes for 1,194 yards as a rookie. Bowers said in May that he felt 100 percent, and the Raiders have spent camp feeding him the ball. He caught two red-zone touchdowns from Kirk Cousins on July 31, added another deep score on Aug. 6, and was one of Las Vegas' best offensive players during the Aug. 18 joint practice with Houston. Cousins found him for another touchdown there, too. That connection matters even more now with Cousins expected to start Week 1. Bowers still managed 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in only 12 games last season, so the floor was never the concern when healthy. The draft price is already steep. RotoBaller has him as the TE1 and No. 21 overall in its latest half-PPR rankings. Still, there has been nothing this summer to make fantasy managers back off. If anything, Bowers looks like himself again.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Mayer's Fantasy Outlook Dependent on Teammate's Health
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.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brock Bowers Remains the No. 1 Tight End to Target in Redraft Leagues
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers currently sits as the No. 1 tight end in RotoBaller's rankings in both PPR and standard scoring leagues for 2026. He ranks as the No. 21 overall player, with an average draft position of 21.1 on Yahoo. Bowers dealt with injuries in 2025, but still recorded 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns. As a rookie in 2024, Bowers burst onto the scene with 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. He will work as a top option in the passing game for quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza in 2026. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues will have to target Bowers by the second round if they want him on their teams. While a tight end is generally a less valuable position than running back or wide receiver, Bowers is worth the price at his current ADP.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Mayer Caps Off First Drive with a Touchdown
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.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brock Bowers Plays Just One Snap in Preseason Opener
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers wasn't on the field for long in Thursday night's preseason-opening loss to the visiting Arizona Cardinals, as he played just one offensive snap before coming out of the game. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Ashton Jeanty stayed in a bit longer with the starting offense, but the Raiders weren't going to take any chances with their star TE. The 23-year-old former 13th overall pick from the University of Georgia battled a knee injury last year and finished with only 64 receptions for 680 yards in 12 games, but he still managed to post a career-high seven touchdown receptions on 86 targets. It was a step back after his 112-1,194-5 line in 17 games as a rookie in 2024. With an improved QB situation with Cousins/rookie Fernando Mendoza in new head coach Klint Kubiak's offense, the sky is the limit for Bowers, which is why he's the consensus top fantasy football TE in most formats going into Year 3. Despite missing five games due to injury last year, Bowers still managed to finish as the TE10 in half-PPR scoring.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Raiders Will Play Their Starters in Preseason Opener
The Las Vegas Raiders' starters will play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, head coach Klint Kubiak told Sam Warren of The Athletic. While many teams opt to rest their starters in Week 1 of the preseason, we'll see the Raiders mix in everyone as players compete for key roster spots. According to Warren's post on X, "the team has a plan for how much [Kubiak] wants the 1s, 2s and 3s to play." It makes sense that the Raiders will get reps for their starters, especially at the wide receiver position. It's a relatively inexperienced group, and there are a few starting roles up for grabs among a group that features Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Dont'e Thornton Jr., among others. Warren also notes that even though Kirk Cousins is expected to start the regular season opener at quarterback, rookie No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza will get plenty of snaps this week.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
Michael Mayer Returns to Practice Following Nose Injury
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (nose) returned to training camp practice on Thursday, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Mayer missed a few practices after busting his nose during practice on Monday. The 25-year-old will return to working as the No. 2 tight end in Vegas behind Brock Bowers. The former second-rounder in 2023 from Notre Dame has yet to really make an impact for fantasy managers in his first three seasons in the NFL, and that will likely continue as long as Bowers stays healthy. Bowers dealt with a knee injury last year, which allowed Mayer to have career highs in catches (35), targets (50), and receiving yards (328) while scoring just once in 13 games played. The Raiders figure to use more two-tight-end sets in 2026 under new head coach Klint Kubiak, but that's unlikely to be enough to make Mayer a weekly starting option, even in two-TE fantasy leagues. Mayer opens his fourth NFL season ranked as RotoBaller's No. 35 fantasy TE. If Bowers misses time with an injury again, Mayer would become a priority waiver-wire addition.
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Michael Mayer Suffers Nose Injury on Monday
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (nose) left training camp practice early on Monday due to a busted nose, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Head coach Klint Kubiak said Mayer should be fine. Mayer will most likely miss a day or two before returning to the practice field this summer. The 25-year-old's fantasy ceiling is limited as long as Brock Bowers stays healthy in 2026. Bowers dealt with injuries in his second year in 2025, but Mayer only had 35 receptions for 328 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets in 13 games played (12 starts). The Raiders could use more two-tight-end sets under Kubiak this year, and they should be in better hands at the QB position with veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza, but that alone won't make the former second-rounder from Notre Dame viable in single-TE fantasy leagues. Right now, Mayer is ranked at RotoBaller as the No. 35 overall fantasy TE as he heads into his third year in the league.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Brock Bowers Has Been the Star of Raiders Training Camp
After an injury-hampered 2025 campaign, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers has appeared healthy through the opening days of training camp, with The Athletic's Sam Warren calling him the star of camp, while pointing out that he has made "at least one big play in each practice, and seemingly in every team period." Warren also notes, "He's had his way with every defender he's gone up against." Bowers broke the rookie reception record with 112 catches in 2024, and he recorded 103 yards in the opening game of his second season, but a knee injury sustained in that contest slowed him for much of the year and kept him in and out of the lineup. Now, seemingly ready to dominate again, Bowers is RotoBaller's TE1 and offers a rare positional advantage that makes him worth spending up for in 2026 drafts.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
Brock Bowers Remains an Elite Tight End Option Despite Injury-Marred 2025
After recording 112 receptions and being named a first-team All-Pro as a rookie in 2024, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers battled through an injury-marred sophomore campaign in 2025. The 23-year-old was clearly hampered while playing through a knee injury that he suffered in Week 1 and eventually ended the season on Injured Reserve. However, Bowers is reportedly fully healthy heading into 2026. The Raiders should also have a significantly improved offensive environment in the upcoming year, hiring Klint Kubiak as their new head coach and play-caller and revamping their quarterback room with veteran Kirk Cousins and 2026 number one overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Bowers profiles as the clear number one option in the Las Vegas passing game and could have a chance to exceed the 153 targets he earned as a rookie. While Bowers' stock may be slightly down following his disappointing 2025 production, he remains an elite fantasy tight end ahead of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Mayer Could See Increased Role
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer put together a career year last season. Across 13 games, Mayer hauled in 35 receptions for 328 receiving yards and one touchdown. Both the receptions and yardage are career highs for the 25-year-old. His overall ceiling is going to be limited because Brock Bowers is ahead of him on the depth chart. The good news for Mayer is that new head coach Klint Kubiak deploys a two-tight-end set at the same time. The assumption is that more time on the field will lead to more involvement in the offense for Mayer. He's not someone who needs to be rostered in 12-team formats to start the season. However, he'll be a popular waiver wire candidate if Bowers ever goes down.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Brock Bowers "Fully Healthy" Ahead of Training Camp
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is "fully healthy" ahead of training camp at the end of July, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Bowers' athletic and pass-catching prowess left veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins "in a state of shock" during the offseason program. The 23-year-old led all TEs in receiving yards (1,194) and set the Raiders record for most catches in a single season (112) as a rookie in 2024, but he finished with just 84 catches, 630 yards, and seven touchdowns in Year 2 due to a knee injury. Now that he's back to full health, the former 13th overall pick from the University of Georgia could finish as the TE1 overall in fantasy again in new head coach Klint Kubiak's offense in 2026. Kubiak has shown the ability to scheme the ball to his best pass-catchers, and Bowers is the Raiders' best pass-catcher. Despite playing through a PCL injury and a bone bruise in his left knee in 2025, Bowers had a 74.4% catch rate, averaged 10.6 yards per catch, and was named to his second Pro Bowl. Heading into Year 3, Bowers is ranked as RotoBaller's top fantasy TE for a reason, and he's not going to come at a discount in fantasy drafts despite his injury-plagued 2025 campaign.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Michael Mayer to See an Uptick in Production in New Offense?
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers should be the focal point of new head coach Klint Kubiak's offense in 2026, but Kubiak's deployment of two tight ends on the field at the same time could help Michael Mayer's production as the top TE backup, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Beyond Bowers and Mayer, Ian Thomas and Carter Runyan could battle for the TE3 job in training camp this summer. Mayer, who was taken in the second round (35th overall) in 2023 out of Notre Dame, caught a career-high 35 passes on 50 targets for 328 yards and only one touchdown in 13 games (12 starts) for the Raiders in 2025 in his third year in the league. He was on the TE streaming radar with Bowers missing some time with injuries last year, but in the end, Mayer's numbers left a lot to be desired. His ceiling will obviously be capped because of Bowers' presence, but he could threaten for even more production if Kubiak involves him more as a pass-catcher alongside Bowers. Mayer should go undrafted in standard 12-team leagues, but if Bowers misses more time with an injury in 2026, he'll be a priority waiver-wire pickup at the position.
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Brock Bowers Primed for a Monster Bounce-Back Season
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers had a record-setting rookie year with 112 catches, 1,194 yards, and five touchdowns with quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell throwing him the football. Last year was a disappointment, though, with Geno Smith running the offense and Bowers missing time with injuries. However, his catch rate stayed steady at 74% in both of his seasons, and his yards per reception went from only 10.7 to 10.6. The former 13th overall pick out of the University of Georgia was targeted slightly less last year, but with new head coach Klint Kubiak coming to town, Bowers' target rate should rise in Year 3. ESPN's Ben Solak suggests that Bowers will be a candidate to win Offensive Player of the Year. A TE has never won the award in NFL history, with Travis Kelce coming the closest in 2020. Not only does Bowers have elite pass-catching talent at the position with a bigger role in the offense expected in 2026, but the QB play in Vegas should be better between veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza. There's a reason RotoBaller has Bowers ranked as the top fantasy TE for the upcoming season, even after a disappointing sophomore showing.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Michael Mayer a Roster-Worthy Handcuff Who Could Still See an Expanded Role
A second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders' Michael Mayer showed promising flashes as a rookie, finishing the year as the team's most productive tight end. Any hopes of a true fantasy breakout were dashed, however, when the Raiders spent the 13th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft on generational prospect Brock Bowers, who has since proven worthy of the often overused label through his first two seasons in the league. In years past, there might have been very little fantasy value in a team's second tight end, but with the league trending toward more multi-tight end usage, and new head coach Klint Kubiak partly responsible for helping to lead that charge, Mayer remains an important dynasty hold. Potentially capable of providing the occasional standalone bye week or injury fill-in, Mayer's highest value remains as a handcuff to Bowers, now in a Kubiak system that saw AJ Barner finish as the TE9 or better six different times in 2025. With only one year remaining on his rookie contract, Mayer could hit free agency in 2027 at the age of 25, and with several paths in play to finding a more substantial role, RotoBaller's dynasty TE43 remains a worthy end-of-bench stash in all but the shallowest of leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
