Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Chig Okonkwo vs Michael MayerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Chig Okonkwo is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.6 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Chig Okonkwo is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Chig Okonkwo edges Michael Mayer by 0.9 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, Chig Okonkwo 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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TETennessee Titans#31PPG LEADER

Chig Okonkwo

PPG

5.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

560

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TELas Vegas Raiders#37

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Chig Okonkwo

Michael Mayer

Head to Head

5.6 PPG4.7 PPG

17 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Chig Okonkwo: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #31 at the position). Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Chig Okonkwo is producing at 25% of elite pace and Michael Mayer at 21%. That ranking gap means Chig Okonkwo carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chig Okonkwo vs Michael Mayer: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Chig Okonkwo finished the 2025 season at 5.6 PPG over 17 games with the Tennessee Titans, while Michael Mayer clocked in at 4.7 across 12 appearances for the Las Vegas Raiders. A 0.9-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.

Chig Okonkwo is the volume tight end in this matchup with 56 receptions for 560 yards, while Michael Mayer profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 35 catches). In weeks where Michael Mayer finds the end zone he out-scores Chig Okonkwo, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Chig Okonkwo is off Week 9 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: Chig Okonkwo (age 26) 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?

•Chig Okonkwo outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Chig Okonkwo played 17 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Chig Okonkwo contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Chig Okonkwo scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Chig Okonkwo saw 79 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chig Okonkwo vs Michael Mayer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chig Okonkwo	Michael Mayer
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.6	4.7
Games Played	17	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	56
Receptions	56	35
Rec/Game	3.3	2.9
Receiving Yards	560	328
Rec Yds/Game	32.9	27.3
Receiving TDs	2	1
Targets	79	50
Target Share/Game	4.6	4.2
Age	26	24
Experience	3 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Chig Okonkwo holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 5.6 points per game. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 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 Chig Okonkwo or Michael Mayer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Chig Okonkwo has the edge at 5.6 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 Chig Okonkwo and Michael Mayer average in 2025?▾

Chig Okonkwo averaged 5.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Chig Okonkwo and Michael Mayer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Chig Okonkwo (TEN) has a bye in Week 9, and Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Chig Okonkwo or Michael Mayer a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Chig Okonkwo outscored Michael Mayer by 0.9 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.