Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gunnar Helm vs Michael MayerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Mayer is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.7 PPG to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Mayer is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Michael Mayer edges Gunnar Helm by 0.3 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Michael Mayer goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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TETennessee Titans#40

Gunnar Helm

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

357

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

Gunnar Helm

Michael Mayer

Head to Head

4.4 PPG4.7 PPG

16 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Gunnar Helm 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.

Gunnar Helm vs Michael Mayer: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Gunnar Helm finished the 2025 season at 4.4 PPG over 16 games with the Tennessee Titans, while Michael Mayer clocked in at 4.7 across 12 appearances for the Las Vegas Raiders. A 0.3-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. Gunnar Helm had 44 catches for 357 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: Gunnar Helm 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: Gunnar Helm (age 23) 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 Gunnar Helm by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Gunnar Helm scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Gunnar Helm saw 55 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gunnar Helm vs Michael Mayer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gunnar Helm	Michael Mayer
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.4	4.7
Games Played	16	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	56
Receptions	44	35
Rec/Game	2.8	2.9
Receiving Yards	357	328
Rec Yds/Game	22.3	27.3
Receiving TDs	2	1
Targets	55	50
Target Share/Game	3.4	4.2
Age	23	24
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Michael Mayer holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 4.7 points per game. Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Gunnar Helm or Michael Mayer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Mayer has the edge at 4.7 PPG compared to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 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 Gunnar Helm and Michael Mayer average in 2025?▾

Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 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 0.3 points per game.

When are Gunnar Helm and Michael Mayer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gunnar Helm (TEN) 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 Gunnar Helm or Michael Mayer a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer outscored Gunnar Helm by 0.3 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.