Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Mason Taylor vs Michael MayerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Mason Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.1 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Mason Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Mason Taylor edges Michael Mayer by 0.4 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, Mason Taylor 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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TENew York Jets#34PPG LEADER

Mason Taylor

PPG

5.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

369

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

TELas Vegas Raiders#37

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Mason Taylor

Michael Mayer

Head to Head

5.1 PPG4.7 PPG

13 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Mason Taylor: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #34 at the position). Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Mason Taylor is producing at 23% of elite pace and Michael Mayer at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Mason Taylor vs Michael Mayer: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Mason Taylor and Michael Mayer is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.4 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Mason Taylor averaged 5.1 PPG with the New York Jets across 13 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. Mason Taylor had 44 catches for 369 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 thing to note: both players share a Week 13 bye. That means you need a backup plan at tight end for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Mason Taylor (age 22) 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?

•Mason Taylor outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mason Taylor played 13 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Mason Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Mason Taylor scored 1 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Mason Taylor saw 65 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Both players share a Week 13 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Mason Taylor vs Michael Mayer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Mason Taylor	Michael Mayer
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.1	4.7
Games Played	13	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	66	56
Receptions	44	35
Rec/Game	3.4	2.9
Receiving Yards	369	328
Rec Yds/Game	28.4	27.3
Receiving TDs	1	1
Targets	65	50
Target Share/Game	5.0	4.2
Age	22	24
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 13

Summary

Mason Taylor outscored Michael Mayer by 0.4 PPG in 2025 (5.1 to 4.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Mason Taylor or Michael Mayer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Mason Taylor has the edge at 5.1 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 Mason Taylor and Michael Mayer average in 2025?▾

Mason Taylor averaged 5.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

Do Mason Taylor and Michael Mayer share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Mason Taylor and Michael Mayer share a Week 13 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Mason Taylor or Michael Mayer a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Mason Taylor outscored Michael Mayer by 0.4 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.