Michael Mayer or Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

The call

• Role is secure: named the Raiders' starting tight end in Week 1 and just signed a multi-year extension, with a 62% snap share across 13 games to back it up.
• The usage is the problem — a 13% target share means Mayer needs a red-zone score to clear his 9.3-point projection rather than getting there on volume.
• Game script is neutral-to-fine: Las Vegas is a 3-point favorite with a 22.3 implied total, so no shootout tailwind and no garbage-time passing boost either.
• Tip it toward start if your alternative is a sub-8-point TE or you need touchdown equity; sit him if you roster a higher-target-share tight end.

The call

• Role is airtight: 91% snap share and a 17% target share as the listed starting tight end, with no injury designation anywhere on the report.
• Detroit's 27.8 implied total is among the week's highest, and a -7.0 spread points to a comfortable game script where LaPorta stays central to the red-zone passing plan.
• 11.0 projected points at TE8 clears the weekly bar at a position where replacement options rarely reach double digits.
• Only real risk is a blowout that shifts Detroit to the run late, which caps upside more than it threatens the floor.