The Las Vegas Raiders might be without star tight end Brock Bowers again on Sunday when they take on the Los Angeles Chargers in a bitter Week 2 rivalry game. Although Bowers practiced Friday, the Raiders are not expected to rush him back, nor should they.
That’s where Michael Mayer has stepped up in the lineup. While he didn't produce explosive plays on offense, he did lead the team in receptions last Sunday vs. the Miami Dolphins. He could be a starting tight end on many teams and has landed a hefty payday from the Raiders coaching staff for a reason.
Mayer shines by winning against safeties and linebackers. That is why the coaching staff sees him having an expanded role this week against the Chargers. New OC Andrew Janocko gave his thoughts on Michael Mayer on Thursday during his latest press conference with the Raiders media.
"I think everybody has an evolving role each week, especially as we all get into this, whether it's our first year together, or we're together for a long time. Everybody's evolving Week 1, whether it's Michael [Mayer], whether it's different guys we ask to do different jobs. I thought Mike [Mayer] did a nice job in what we asked him to do, took advantage of his opportunities, made some plays for us. We look forward to the offense as a whole; keep evolving, keep creating plays."
Michael Mayer has become a safety valve for Raiders' Kirk Cousins
Mayer has become a safety valve for Raiders starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins looked to him on checkdowns and second- or third-reads consistently last week against the Dolphins, and with Cousins' arm-strength concerns, Mayer making himself available is pivotal.
Mayer also has chances to get open downfield that the Raiders haven't used to their advantage, and we could finally see that unleashed this Sunday.
The Chargers struggled last week against the Arizona Cardinals' Trey McBride. McBride is one of the league's better tight ends and feasted on the Chargers' defense throughout the matchup, finishing the game with nine receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
This gives the Raiders an opportunity to find Mayer consistently and for him to have a big game in this matchup. McBride wasn’t running crazy routes throughout the game; he was finding openings in the Chargers' zone defense, which looked confused in Week 1.
Raiders fans should expect Klint Kubiak to notice these issues on film and make Mayer a focal point of the passing game. If Mayer can duplicate McBride's production, the passing offense might perform better than it did in Week 1 vs. the Miami Dolphins
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