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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Brenton Strange vs Michael MayerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Brenton Strange is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.9 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Brenton Strange is the better fantasy play this season.

Brenton Strange is the better play on a neutral week. 7.9 PPG with 540 yards gives a reliable baseline. Michael Mayer at 4.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Brenton Strange higher, but do not fade Michael Mayer entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TEJacksonville Jaguars#19PPG LEADER
Brenton Strange
PPG
7.9
Games
12
Rec
46
Rec Yds
540
Rec TDs
3
Targets
60
Bye
Week 7
TELas Vegas Raiders#37
Michael Mayer
PPG
4.7
Games
12
Rec
35
Rec Yds
328
Rec TDs
1
Targets
50
Bye
Week 13

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Brenton Strange
Michael Mayer

Head to Head

7.9 PPG4.7 PPG
12 GP12 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Brenton Strange: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #19 at the position). Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Brenton Strange is producing at 36% of elite pace and Michael Mayer at 21%. That ranking gap means Brenton Strange carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brenton Strange vs Michael Mayer: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Brenton Strange and Michael Mayer is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Jacksonville Jaguars tight end put up 7.9 PPG in 2025 over 12 games; Michael Mayer of the Las Vegas Raiders averaged 4.7 in 12. A 3.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.2 points favors Brenton Strange, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Brenton Strange had 46 catches for 540 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.

Brenton Strange has his bye in Week 7, and Michael Mayer rests in Week 13. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Brenton Strange is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Michael Mayer is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Brenton Strange (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Michael Mayer (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Brenton Strange outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 54 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Brenton Strange scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Brenton Strange saw 60 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brenton Strange vs Michael Mayer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatBrenton StrangeMichael Mayer
PPG (Half-PPR)7.94.7
Games Played1212
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)9556
Receptions4635
Rec/Game3.82.9
Receiving Yards540328
Rec Yds/Game45.027.3
Receiving TDs31
Targets6050
Target Share/Game5.04.2
Age2524
Experience2 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 13

Summary

7.9 PPG for Brenton Strange versus 4.7 for Michael Mayer in 2025. The baseline favors Brenton Strange, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brenton Strange or Michael Mayer in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Brenton Strange has the edge at 7.9 PPG compared to Michael Mayer's 4.7 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 Brenton Strange and Michael Mayer average in 2025?

Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 3.2 points per game.

When are Brenton Strange and Michael Mayer's bye weeks in 2026?

Brenton Strange (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brenton Strange or Michael Mayer a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Brenton Strange outscored Michael Mayer by 3.2 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.

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