Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Hooper vs Michael MayerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Mayer is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.7 PPG to Austin Hooper's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Mayer is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Michael Mayer edges Austin Hooper by 0.7 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Michael Mayer goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TENew England Patriots#99

Austin Hooper

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

292

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TELas Vegas Raiders#37PPG LEADER

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Austin Hooper

Michael Mayer

Head to Head

4.0 PPG4.7 PPG

15 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Hooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Austin Hooper is producing at 18% of elite pace and Michael Mayer at 21%. That ranking gap means Michael Mayer carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Hooper vs Michael Mayer: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Austin Hooper finished the 2025 season at 4.0 PPG over 15 games with the New England Patriots, while Michael Mayer clocked in at 4.7 across 12 appearances for the Las Vegas Raiders. A 0.7-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Austin Hooper had 32 catches for 292 yards; Michael Mayer posted 35 for 328. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

One scheduling note: Austin Hooper is off Week 14 and Michael Mayer Week 13. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Austin Hooper (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Michael Mayer (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Michael Mayer outscored Austin Hooper by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Hooper played 15 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Austin Hooper contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Austin Hooper scored 1 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Michael Mayer saw 50 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Hooper vs Michael Mayer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Hooper	Michael Mayer
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	4.7
Games Played	15	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	60	56
Receptions	32	35
Rec/Game	2.1	2.9
Receiving Yards	292	328
Rec Yds/Game	19.5	27.3
Receiving TDs	1	1
Targets	42	50
Target Share/Game	2.8	4.2
Age	-	24
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Michael Mayer holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 4.7 points per game. Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Hooper or Michael Mayer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Mayer has the edge at 4.7 PPG compared to Austin Hooper's 4.0 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Austin Hooper and Michael Mayer average in 2025?▾

Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Austin Hooper and Michael Mayer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Hooper (NE) has a bye in Week 14, and Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Hooper or Michael Mayer a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer outscored Austin Hooper by 0.7 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.