Colston Loveland or Michael Mayer: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Loveland gets the edge as Mayer's value hinges on Bowers' status

Start Loveland: his TE1, pass-catching mismatch role is backed by the stronger scoring environment, while Mayer's attractive target path is tied to lineup news. Loveland is the steadier call, but the edge is modest for a tight end; Mayer can win if he retains the expanded role. The risk is Loveland's still-unproven target volume, whereas Mayer's risk is losing routes if Bowers returns. Yahoo Sports 2026-09-17 makes Mayer a conditional play, not a locked-in one.

What flips it: Bowers being ruled out and Mayer retaining the starting role.

Sources: Yahoo Sports · Sep 17, 2026

AI editor

Colston Loveland

Colston Loveland

TE3CHIvs MIN

Projected Points

Start
Michael Mayer

Michael Mayer

TELVvs LAC

Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium

Colston Loveland’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-118 / -108
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 53.5
-111 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+175
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Michael Mayer’s market

REC
O/U 5.5
+107 / -136
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 44.5
-112 / -112
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+230
Anytime Touchdown Props →
MIN@
CHISun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
LV@
LACSun, Sep 20, 4:05 PM ETView the game →

Why Colston Loveland

Start

TE1 and pass-catching mismatch. Seam-stretching move tight end with flex alignment and rising target volume.

Start — every-week TE start at consensus TE3: 24.5 implied team total, 8% target share.

  • His flex alignment and seam speed create routes beyond a static in-line role.
  • The concern is a one-week target sample that leaves his floor less secure than his rank suggests.

Latest on Loveland

'No block, no rock' is not just a mantra for Bears' offense

When even the "little guys" are getting a hat on a hat, it's that much easier to post 59 points and over 500 yards.

ESPN · Sep 16, 2026
Colston Loveland's Week 2 preview
VideoESPN · Sep 16, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Michael Mayer

Toss-Up· medium

TE2 in complementary role. Physical in-line blocker with reliable short-to-intermediate hands behind the starter.

Mayer's 10.0 projection and 24% target share only hold if Bowers sits — confirm inactives before locking him in a 12-team TE slot.

  • His reliable short-area hands fit a trailing script and can support efficient underneath work.
  • His fantasy case depends on retaining the starting role rather than talent alone.

The call

  • Week 1 usage was real: 81% snap share, 24% target share and six catches on seven targets with Bowers out of the starting lineup — that's a locked-in TE1 workload if it repeats.
  • The entire case is conditional. The Yahoo report (2026-09-17) says he's expected to stay the top tight end only *if* Bowers sits Week 2; if Bowers is active, Mayer's target share craters and 10.0 points is unreachable.
  • Matchup and script are fine — LAC ranks 26 of 32 in DvP composite (softer end) and an 8.5-point deficit with a 17.0 implied total means plenty of trailing-script throws and checkdowns.
  • Tiebreaker: if Bowers is ruled out, start Mayer without hesitation; if Bowers plays, bench him for any streaming TE.

Latest on Mayer

Role

Mayer was replaced Bowers in the starting lineup for the Week 1 opener and had six catches on seven targets for 32 yards; he is expected to remain the top tight end if Bowers sits out Week 2.

Yahoo Sports · Sep 17, 2026
Raiders TE Michael Mayer gets 3-year, $45M extension, sources say

Tight end Michael Mayer, who is stepping in for an injured Brock Bowers to start the regular season, has received a multiyear extension from the Raiders.

ESPN · Sep 12, 2026
Raiders sign TE Michael Mayer to multi-year extension

Mayer has totaled 83 receptions for 788 receiving yards (9.5 avg.) and three touchdowns over 38 games (32 starts) in his first three NFL seasons.

raiders.com · Sep 12, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricColston LovelandMichael Mayer
Projected points
Consensus rankTE3—
Opponent vs positionMIN · 14 of 321-game sampleLAC · 26 of 321-game sample
Receptions14 of 3230 of 32
Receiving Yards31 of 3229 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 3221 of 32
Targets24 of 3232 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 3220 of 32
Target share8%24%
Reception share0%29%
Implied total · spread24.5-3.517.0+8.5
Depth chartTE1TE2
Snap share87%81%
Start/Sit record—0–0+2 toss-ups

Recent form

Colston Loveland — last 1 week

Week 1vs CAR

Michael Mayer — last 1 week

Week 1vs MIA

Signal breakdown

  • 11.4 vs 10.0 projected PPR pointsColston Loveland +
  • Consensus position rankeven
  • Opponent DvP rank 14 vs 26 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 24.5 vs 17.0 team pointsColston Loveland +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 87% vs 81% snap shareColston Loveland +

Compare different players

Week 2220 players
Player A
vs
Player B

Every fantasy-relevant player this week — search or filter by position.

More Loveland comparisons

More Mayer comparisons

This week’s toughest calls

Start/Sit Board•Weekly Rankings•Streamers•Sleepers & Busts•Waiver Wire•My Team•MLB NRFI Board•Free Tools•NFL Props•NFL Games

Get a Start/Sit call on your whole roster →

Save your team once and see a Start, Sit, or Toss-Up verdict on every player, every week — with the matchup, usage and game-script evidence behind each call.

Add to My Team — free

Or browse this week’s NFL games or NFL player props.