Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dawson Knox vs Michael MayerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dawson Knox is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.4 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dawson Knox is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Dawson Knox and Michael Mayer are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-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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TEBuffalo Bills#33PPG LEADER

Dawson Knox

PPG

5.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

417

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TELas Vegas Raiders#37

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Dawson Knox

Michael Mayer

Head to Head

5.4 PPG4.7 PPG

16 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dawson Knox is producing at 25% of elite pace and Michael Mayer at 21%. That ranking gap means Dawson Knox carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dawson Knox vs Michael Mayer: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Dawson Knox finished the 2025 season at 5.4 PPG over 16 games with the Buffalo Bills, while Michael Mayer clocked in at 4.7 across 12 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. Dawson Knox had 36 catches for 417 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: Dawson Knox is off Week 7 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: Dawson Knox (age 29) 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?

•Dawson Knox outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Dawson Knox contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dawson Knox scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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.
•Michael Mayer is 5 years younger than Dawson Knox (24 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dawson Knox vs Michael Mayer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dawson Knox	Michael Mayer
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	4.7
Games Played	16	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	56
Receptions	36	35
Rec/Game	2.3	2.9
Receiving Yards	417	328
Rec Yds/Game	26.1	27.3
Receiving TDs	4	1
Targets	49	50
Target Share/Game	3.1	4.2
Age	29	24
Experience	6 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 13

Summary

5.4 PPG for Dawson Knox versus 4.7 for Michael Mayer in 2025. The baseline favors Dawson Knox, 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 Dawson Knox or Michael Mayer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dawson Knox has the edge at 5.4 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 Dawson Knox and Michael Mayer average in 2025?▾

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Dawson Knox and Michael Mayer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dawson Knox (BUF) 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 Dawson Knox or Michael Mayer a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Dawson Knox outscored Michael Mayer by 0.7 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.