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Head to Head

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Evan Engram vs Michael MayerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Evan Engram is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.9 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Evan Engram is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Evan Engram and Michael Mayer 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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TEDenver Broncos#35PPG LEADER
Evan Engram
PPG
4.9
Games
16
Rec
50
Rec Yds
461
Rec TDs
1
Targets
76
Bye
Week 10
TELas Vegas Raiders#37
Michael Mayer
PPG
4.7
Games
12
Rec
35
Rec Yds
328
Rec TDs
1
Targets
50
Bye
Week 13

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Evan Engram
Michael Mayer

Head to Head

4.9 PPG4.7 PPG
16 GP12 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Evan Engram: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #35 at the position). Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Evan Engram is producing at 22% of elite pace and Michael Mayer at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Evan Engram vs Michael Mayer: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Evan Engram and Michael Mayer is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Evan Engram averaged 4.9 PPG with the Denver Broncos across 16 games, and Michael Mayer posted 4.7 with the Las Vegas Raiders in 12.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Evan Engram had 50 catches for 461 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.

Evan Engram has his bye in Week 10, and Michael Mayer rests in Week 13. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Evan Engram (age 31) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Michael Mayer (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Evan Engram outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Evan Engram played 16 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Evan Engram contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Evan Engram scored 1 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Evan Engram saw 76 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
  • Michael Mayer is 7 years younger than Evan Engram (24 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Evan Engram vs Michael Mayer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatEvan EngramMichael Mayer
PPG (Half-PPR)4.94.7
Games Played1612
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)7856
Receptions5035
Rec/Game3.12.9
Receiving Yards461328
Rec Yds/Game28.827.3
Receiving TDs11
Targets7650
Target Share/Game4.84.2
Age3124
Experience8 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 13

Summary

4.9 PPG for Evan Engram versus 4.7 for Michael Mayer in 2025. The baseline favors Evan Engram, 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 Evan Engram or Michael Mayer in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Evan Engram has the edge at 4.9 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 Evan Engram and Michael Mayer average in 2025?

Evan Engram averaged 4.9 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 0.2 points per game.

When are Evan Engram and Michael Mayer's bye weeks in 2026?

Evan Engram (DEN) has a bye in Week 10, and Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Evan Engram or Michael Mayer a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Evan Engram outscored Michael Mayer 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.

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