As expected, Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo (back) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Bears. He didn't practice all week and has no timetable for return. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that QB Brian Hoyer will get the start in Garoppolo's place. Hoyer went 6 of 10 for 102 yards in relief last week but should still be considered a downgrade for Las Vegas' pass-catchers. The 38-year-old threw just 108 regular-season passes across the previous five seasons.
Raiders TE Michael Mayer saw his breakout game come in Week 6 vs. the Patriots. The rookie hauled in 5 of 6 targets and led the team with 75 receiving yards on Sunday. WR Jakobi Meyers also had a solid game with 5 receptions for 61 yards and a TD. We'd be remiss not to highlight the impact of the 6 targets Mayer saw in the contest. Before this weekend, WRs Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers were the only Raiders' pass-catchers who had seen 5 or more targets in a game this season. Mayer isn't a must-start option on Week 7 vs. the Bears, but he's worth a speculative waiver wire add, if nothing else.
Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo "was up-and-down early in camp but has been impressive of late," ESPN's Paul Gutierrez writes. Garoppolo also looked good in his 2023 preseason debut on Saturday night, completing all four of his passes for 39 yards on a 68-yard TD drive. He's still not an exciting fantasy option, but the improved play is good news for Vegas pass-catchers.
The Raiders released TE O.J. Howard. Once an exciting fantasy prospect, Howard's dynasty value is on life support. He's totaled just 24 catches in two seasons since tearing his Achilles. We'll see if the 28-year-old latches on elsewhere before Week 1. The Raiders move forward with Michael Mayer and Austin Hooper as their top two TEs.
Raiders GM Dave Ziegler said he tried to trade back into the first round to secure TE Michael Mayer. Vegas ended up landing Mayer with the fourth pick of Round 2. "He was one of the top 15 players on our board," Ziegler said. We were surprised to see Mayer slip into the second round. But he landed in a solid spot for immediate opportunity, with only TEs Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard to conquer.
The Raiders selected Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Mayer stepped into a starting role as a true freshman. Across three seasons, the Notre Dame TE set records for career catches (180), receiving yards (2,099), and TDs (18). Despite small, 31 5/8” arms, Mayer is a polished, contested-catch winner. The 249-pounder has also proven tough with only one missed game in three seasons. The Raiders certainly had a TE need following the trade of Darren Waller. Austin Hooper joined the club in March, but he’s not much of a barrier to Mayer capturing a three-down role. The 21-year-old could be a TE1 spot-starter this fall.
TE Michael Mayer measured in at nearly 6’5 and 249 pounds at the NFL Combine. Mayer wasn’t a standout tester, posting a 4.70 forty and a 32.5” vertical. No major surprise there, though. Mayer is a contested catch specialist who exited Notre Dame with 180 catches across 3 seasons. He still projects as a day 1 NFL starter.
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