Nathan Jahnke· Sep 13, 2026
In an unbylined waiver-wire piece, 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.
- Andrew EricksonSleeper Calls · Michael MayerPendingIn his Week 2 'Beyond the Waiver Wire' column, Erickson makes a long series of buy/sell/add calls on individual players (sleepers vs. busts), plus a few specific role, availability and outlook predictions — notably that Jahmyr Gibbs scores again Thursday night, that Drew Lock remains Seattle's starter, and that Kenneth Walker III leads the NFL in rushing yards.
- Kyle ZeiglerSleeper Calls · Michael MayerPendingZeigler's Week 2 matchup column names good and bad spots: he expects bounce-backs from Baker Mayfield and streamer Michael Mayer, sees Jacory Croskey-Merritt as a back-end RB2/FLEX, and cautions on Trevor Lawrence, Jeremiyah Love, Nico Collins and Hunter Henry. He also endorses both Chicago receivers as strong WR2 plays.
- Joshua PoniatowskiSleeper Calls · Michael MayerPendingIn a Week 2 waiver wire column, Poniatowski recommends several low-rostered players as pickups/streamers who will outperform their availability — Tyler Shough, Kaelon Black, George Holani, Devaughn Vele, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Mike Gesicki and Michael Mayer — and stakes out depth-chart roles for Black (49ers RB2), Vele (Saints' No. 2 pass catcher) and Wicks (Eagles WR2).
- Frank AmmirantePositional Finishes · Michael MayerPendingAmmirante names five low-rostered waiver wire stashes for Week 1, headlined by Raiders tight end Michael Mayer, whom he ranks as his TE7 for the week, along with depth-chart claims about Adonai Mitchell, Chris Bell and Pat Bryant.
- 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.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Ralph VacchianoDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. He also flags the Giants as a potential surprise team with a top-10 defense, and notes Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's QB job while Tua Tagovailoa starts Week 1 in Atlanta.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice touts Kyler Murray as a value QB who will start Week 1 for Minnesota, Tyler Shough as the Saints' undisputed starter, and Juwan Johnson and Terrance Ferguson as late-round tight end targets.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to be Minnesota's Week 1 starter and calls him one of the better quarterback values in 2026 drafts; he also views Jordan Love as a top-10 real-life quarterback but only a QB2 in fantasy.
- Steven RuizDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a retrospective tiering of all 32 starting quarterbacks, Ruiz treats Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' Week 1 starter over Kirk Cousins, whom he places in his lowest tier.
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Florio reports the Browns will start Deshaun Watson in Week 1 but predicts Shedeur Sanders will likely be the starting quarterback by Week 3.