Darnell Washington vs Michael Mayer: Who Should You Start?
This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Darnell Washington finished the 2025 season at 3.6 PPG over 16 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Michael Mayer clocked in at 4.3 across 13 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. Darnell Washington had 31 catches for 364 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: Darnell Washington is off Week 9 and Michael Mayer Week 10. 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.
