Nathan Jahnke· Sep 13, 2026
PFF says Michael Mayer steps into the starting tight end role with Brock Bowers injured, and frames Tyler Shough as a widely available streaming quarterback for Week 1 who is likely to regress mildly from his rookie production.
“Michael Mayer takes over for Brock Bowers”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
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- Depth Chart CallsMichael MayerSep 13, 2026
Michael Mayer to be 1st on the depth chart
“Michael Mayer takes over for Brock Bowers : Mayer was a borderline fantasy starter last season when Bowers was injured, and with Bowers out again, he starts the season with a great matchup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Ryan McCrystalMock Draft Picks · Michael MayerClose · 48In his most recent mock draft, McCrystal projected specific first-round (and, for teams without first-rounders, Day 2/3) selections for all 32 teams in the 2023 NFL Draft, including Bryce Young at No. 1 to Carolina and Will Anderson at No. 2 to Houston.
- Nick RaducanuDepth Chart Calls · Michael MayerPendingRaducanu says Brock Bowers will return from his knee procedure to make his season debut in Week 3 against the Saints, that Ashton Jeanty stays a high-volume RB1 with Bowers back, and that Michael Mayer reverts to a block-heavy backup tight end role behind Bowers.
- Tucker BagleyDepth Chart Calls · Michael MayerPendingBagley argues that with Brock Bowers out after a meniscus procedure, Michael Mayer becomes Las Vegas' clear starting tight end and primary target for Kirk Cousins, and that Kahlil Benson will start at left tackle for Kansas City if Josh Simmons sits; he also says Drake London sits atop Atlanta's receiver depth chart and will command heavy targets from Cooper Rush.
- Jared FeinbergDepth Chart Calls · Michael MayerPendingPreviewing the Raiders' season opener against the Dolphins, Feinberg expects Michael Mayer to serve as Las Vegas' top pass-catcher with Brock Bowers out, and sees Maxx Crosby and rookie safety Treydan Stukes as key factors.
- Frank AmmiranteDepth Chart Calls · Michael MayerPendingIn his Week 1 NFL DFS cash game column, Ammirante names Jared Goff and Malik Willis at quarterback, Chase Brown and Rico Dowdle at running back, Ladd McConkey and Tre Tucker at receiver, and Juwan Johnson and Michael Mayer at tight end as underpriced plays, arguing Michael Mayer steps in as the Raiders' top tight end with Brock Bowers out.
- Mark Morales-SmithDepth Chart Calls · Michael MayerPendingIn a fantasy sell-high column, Morales-Smith argues Rhamondre Stevenson, Kaleb Johnson and Michael Mayer should be traded away now because their value is inflated and will decline.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Jonah ColemanMiss · 0In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.