Brock Bowers (knee) is out for Week 1 against Miami, and he could miss multiple weeks. That should allow Michael Mayer and Tre Tucker to step into prominent roles against the Dolphins, and both should be considered sleepers in the majority of leagues. Mayer has top-10 upside in Week 1, and he should be immediately added in all leagues where available.
We don't know how long Bowers will be out, but Mayer is a great replacement option. At the time of publication, he was only rostered in 24 percent of leagues on CBS Sports. Mayer played three games without Bowers in 2025 and averaged 13.9 PPR points over that span and 7.3 targets per game.
This week, Mayer is facing a Dolphins defense that was No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to tight ends in 2025, and he should see plenty of targets. Tucker has the chance to be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in Week 1, and he gets a favorable matchup against the Dolphins. Miami allowed six receivers to score at least 12.1 PPR points in the final five games last season, and Tucker will hopefully reach that threshold.
He played five games without Bowers in 2025, and Tucker scored at least 11.1 PPR points in two of those outings. Tucker is also worth adding while Bowers is out, and Tucker is rostered in 61 percent of leagues on CBS Sports. It stinks that Bowers is out, and we hope he returns to action soon.
But his absence opens the door for Mayer and Tucker to be sleepers in Week 1, and both could be useful Fantasy options until Bowers returns. Now, here are some other sleepers that I like for Week 1. QB: Baker Mayfield (at CIN) $7,500 RB: Omarion Hampton (vs.
ARI) $7,300 RB: Ashton Jeanty (vs. MIA) $7,000 WR: Ja'Marr Chase (vs. TB) $8,900 WR: DeVonta Smith (vs.
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