Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Hayden Hurst vs Michael MayerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Mayer is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.7 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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 Hayden Hurst by 1.0 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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TELos Angeles Chargers#99

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

TELas Vegas Raiders#37PPG LEADER

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Hayden Hurst

Michael Mayer

Head to Head

3.7 PPG4.7 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Hayden Hurst is producing at 17% of elite pace and Michael Mayer at 21%. That ranking gap means Michael Mayer carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Hayden Hurst vs Michael Mayer: The Full Breakdown

Hayden Hurst (3.7 PPG) and Michael Mayer (4.7 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Hayden Hurst played 14 games for the Los Angeles Chargers; Michael Mayer suited up 12 times for the Las Vegas Raiders.

A 1.0-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Hayden Hurst had 25 catches for 238 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Hayden Hurst sits Week 5 while Michael Mayer is off Week 13. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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: Hayden Hurst (age 27) 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?

•Michael Mayer outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Hayden Hurst played 14 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Hayden Hurst contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Hayden Hurst 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

Hayden Hurst vs Michael Mayer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Hayden Hurst	Michael Mayer
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.7	4.7
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	52	56
Receptions	25	35
Rec/Game	1.8	2.9
Receiving Yards	238	328
Rec Yds/Game	17.0	27.3
Receiving TDs	1	1
Targets	35	50
Target Share/Game	2.5	4.2
Age	-	24
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Michael Mayer holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 4.7 points per game. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 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 Hayden Hurst or Michael Mayer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Mayer has the edge at 4.7 PPG compared to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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 Hayden Hurst and Michael Mayer average in 2025?▾

Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Hayden Hurst and Michael Mayer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Hayden Hurst or Michael Mayer a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer outscored Hayden Hurst by 1.0 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.