Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Colby Parkinson vs Michael MayerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.7 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy play this season.

Colby Parkinson is the better play on a neutral week. 7.7 PPG with 408 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 Colby Parkinson 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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TELos Angeles Rams#21PPG LEADER

Colby Parkinson

PPG

7.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

408

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TELas Vegas Raiders#37

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Colby Parkinson

Michael Mayer

Head to Head

7.7 PPG4.7 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Colby Parkinson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #21 at the position). Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Colby Parkinson is producing at 35% of elite pace and Michael Mayer at 21%. That ranking gap means Colby Parkinson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Colby Parkinson vs Michael Mayer: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Colby Parkinson and Michael Mayer is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Los Angeles Rams tight end put up 7.7 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; Michael Mayer of the Las Vegas Raiders averaged 4.7 in 12. A 3.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.0 points favors Colby Parkinson, 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. Colby Parkinson had 43 catches for 408 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: Colby Parkinson is off Week 11 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

Colby Parkinson 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: Colby Parkinson (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?

•Colby Parkinson outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 51 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Colby Parkinson played 14 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Colby Parkinson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Colby Parkinson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Colby Parkinson saw 56 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Colby Parkinson vs Michael Mayer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Colby Parkinson	Michael Mayer
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.7	4.7
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	108	56
Receptions	43	35
Rec/Game	3.1	2.9
Receiving Yards	408	328
Rec Yds/Game	29.1	27.3
Receiving TDs	8	1
Targets	56	50
Target Share/Game	4.0	4.2
Age	27	24
Experience	5 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 13

Summary

7.7 PPG for Colby Parkinson versus 4.7 for Michael Mayer in 2025. The baseline favors Colby Parkinson, 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 Colby Parkinson or Michael Mayer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Colby Parkinson has the edge at 7.7 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 Colby Parkinson and Michael Mayer average in 2025?▾

Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 3.0 points per game.

When are Colby Parkinson and Michael Mayer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Colby Parkinson (LAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Colby Parkinson or Michael Mayer a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Colby Parkinson outscored Michael Mayer by 3.0 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.