The Las Vegas Raiders might have the best tight-end room in the NFL, and the offensive coordinator to make it matter.
New Las Vegas Raiders GM and head coach Antonio Pierce found themselves in a unique position when their turn was up with the 13th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Raiders’ previous regime drafted TE Michael Mayer in the 2nd round in 2023. The Notre Dame TE was coming off a junior season that saw him as PFF’s TE2 in pre-season and finish as PFF’s TE1. The following year, Georgia’s Brock Bowers was the consensus TE1 of the class who some called the best offensive player in the 2024 Draft and would have measured out as WR4 statistically, if he wasn’t a tight end. When the Raiders’ pick came around, they were looking at the name “Brock Bowers” at the top of their draft board, but they already had “Top TE” at home.
The surprise of Bowers’ eligibility wasn’t the BIGGEST surprise of the draft. That was the Falcons’ pick, but the Raiders stunned most observers when they added another gold-star prospect at the position. Enter new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Getsy’s Chicago Bears used 2+ TE sets more than 24 other teams, ranking 8th in 2 TE usage. In the Raiders’ training camp sessions, the team is “usually lining up in heavy (2 TE) sets, and they all seem to be making catches”. Getsy has two of the best TE’s to have played college football in the last 5 years and the results are showing on the practice field.
The major advantage that Getsy will have in his schemes to exploit matchups is Bowers. Bowers is hyper-athletic, strong, and fast. He is a violent blocker and makes up for what he lacks in technique with ill intent. Lining up split out, Bowers will be a nightmare to cover for the linebackers he’s faster than, and the CB’s he’ll outmuscle. Michael Mayer is no slouch himself. Mayer averaged 11.75 FPG as a rookie, in games he received 5 or more targets. Over 17 games, that would have placed him at TE7 in PPR leagues. Additionally, the Raiders have a veteran presence in 5-year man Harrison Bryant as a “break-glass”option, or to line up in 13 personnel packages. Bowers is Player Profiler’s 11th ranked TE, without stepping on the field, yet, and is a high-upside play as an 8th rounder on Underdog. Mayer is TE31 and is going undrafted. Both could be viable options based on upside and scheme fit.
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The Las Vegas Raiders have announced that Antonio Pierce has been retained as the team’s Head Coach.
The Las Vegas Raiders have stayed in-house for their Head Coach hire, giving Antonio Pierce an upgrade after the former defensive standout and Super Bowl Champion served at the position in the 2023 interim that followed the firing of Josh McDaniels. Pierce’s Raiders finished with a 5-4 record, giving notice to their AFC West rivals that they were to be reckoned with. Pierce led a late-season revamp which saw the team score 63 points against the Chargers, beat the Chiefs in Kansas City for Christmas, and embarrass the Broncos in Week 18.
Despite speculation and media hype that previously surrounded Raiders coaching hires and the big names that are available for hire, Mark Davis had eyes for only one man. Most notably, “big fish” candidates Jim Harbaugh, Bill Belichck, and Mike Vrabel were never interviewed.
Questions still remain at Offensive Coordinator and whether or not QB Aidan O’Connell will be the starter post-draft, so the fantasy implications are to-be-determined. Zamir White, Tre Tucker, and Michael Mayer did show promise for the future, each having mini-breakouts after the change at head coach.
Las Vegas Raiders TE Michael Mayer has been ruled OUT for the Christmas Day matchup against the Chiefs.
Las Vegas TE Michael Mayer has been ruled out for the Raiders Week 16 divisional clash with Kansas City. The Notre Dame rookie, affectionately nicknamed “Paul Bunyan” or Wreck-it Ralph” by fans, injured a toe at some point in the Week 15 destruction of the LA Chargers, a game in which Mayer showcased his talents and finished with his highest fantasy output, to date.
The Raiders next-up at the position is Austin Hooper who should stay off of your fantasy radar.
The Las Vegas Raiders have cut former 1st-Round TE O.J. Howard.
The Raiders signed Howard to a 1-year, veteran minimum contract with $350k guaranteed. Howard spent the first five years how his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected 19th overall in the 2017 draft. The former Alabama TE caught 119 balls for 1,737 yards and 15 TDs in his five years with the Bucs before. Howard had a cup of coffee with the Buffalo Bills last offseason before latching on with the Houston Texans, where he caught 10 passes for 145 yards and 2 TDs across 13 games.
The departure of Howard makes it a two-man competition at tight end, with Austin Hooper having the edge of veteran deference over rookie 2nd-Rounder Michael Mayer. While Hooper may be the starter when the Raiders line up Week 1, he is the definition of a cardboard cutout starter. It won’t be a month before the Notre Dame product takes over as TE1 in Las Vegas.
