Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Washington vs Michael MayerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Mayer is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.7 PPG to Darnell Washington's 4.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Mayer is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Michael Mayer and Darnell Washington are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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TEPittsburgh Steelers#38

Darnell Washington

PPG

4.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TELas Vegas Raiders#37PPG LEADER

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Darnell Washington

Michael Mayer

Head to Head

4.5 PPG4.7 PPG

13 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Michael Mayer at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Darnell Washington vs Michael Mayer: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Darnell Washington finished the 2025 season at 4.5 PPG over 13 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Michael Mayer clocked in at 4.7 across 12 appearances for the Las Vegas Raiders. A 0.2-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 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: Darnell Washington (age 24) 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?

•Michael Mayer outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Darnell Washington played 13 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Darnell Washington contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darnell Washington 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

Darnell Washington vs Michael Mayer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Washington	Michael Mayer
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.5	4.7
Games Played	13	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	56
Receptions	31	35
Rec/Game	2.4	2.9
Receiving Yards	364	328
Rec Yds/Game	28.0	27.3
Receiving TDs	1	1
Targets	43	50
Target Share/Game	3.3	4.2
Age	24	24
Experience	2 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 13

Summary

4.7 PPG for Michael Mayer versus 4.5 for Darnell Washington in 2025. The baseline favors Michael Mayer, 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 Darnell Washington or Michael Mayer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Mayer has the edge at 4.7 PPG compared to Darnell Washington's 4.5 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 Darnell Washington and Michael Mayer average in 2025?▾

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and Michael Mayer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington (PIT) 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 Darnell Washington or Michael Mayer a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer outscored Darnell Washington by 0.2 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.