Jake Ferguson vs Michael Mayer: Who Should You Start?
Deciding between Jake Ferguson and Michael Mayer is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Dallas Cowboys tight end put up 8.7 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Michael Mayer of the Las Vegas Raiders averaged 4.3 in 13. A 4.4-point margin that could shift on any given week.
The per-game difference of 4.4 points favors Jake Ferguson, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.
Jake Ferguson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 600 yards, while Michael Mayer profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 35 catches). In weeks where Michael Mayer finds the end zone he out-scores Jake Ferguson, but the floor gap is real.
Jake Ferguson has his bye in Week 7, and Michael Mayer rests in Week 10. 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.
