Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Mayer vs Mike GesickiWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Mayer is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.7 PPG to Mike Gesicki's 4.7 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 Mike Gesicki by 0.0 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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TELas Vegas Raiders#37PPG LEADER

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

TECincinnati Bengals#36

Mike Gesicki

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Michael Mayer

Mike Gesicki

Head to Head

4.7 PPG4.7 PPG

12 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Mike Gesicki: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Michael Mayer is producing at 21% of elite pace and Mike Gesicki at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Michael Mayer vs Mike Gesicki: The Full Breakdown

Michael Mayer (4.7 PPG) and Mike Gesicki (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. Michael Mayer played 12 games for the Las Vegas Raiders; Mike Gesicki suited up 12 times for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A 0.0-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. Michael Mayer had 35 catches for 328 yards; Mike Gesicki posted 28 for 307. 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: Michael Mayer sits Week 13 while Mike Gesicki is off Week 6. 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: Michael Mayer (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Mike Gesicki (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Michael Mayer outscored Mike Gesicki by a projected 0 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mike Gesicki scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 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.
•Michael Mayer is 6 years younger than Mike Gesicki (24 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Mayer vs Mike Gesicki: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Mayer	Mike Gesicki
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	4.7
Games Played	12	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	56	56
Receptions	35	28
Rec/Game	2.9	2.3
Receiving Yards	328	307
Rec Yds/Game	27.3	25.6
Receiving TDs	1	2
Targets	50	42
Target Share/Game	4.2	3.5
Age	24	30
Experience	2 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 6

Summary

Michael Mayer outscored Mike Gesicki by 0.0 PPG in 2025 (4.7 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 Michael Mayer or Mike Gesicki in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Mayer has the edge at 4.7 PPG compared to Mike Gesicki'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 Michael Mayer and Mike Gesicki average in 2025?▾

Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Mike Gesicki averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.0 points per game.

When are Michael Mayer and Mike Gesicki's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Mike Gesicki (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Mayer or Mike Gesicki a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer outscored Mike Gesicki by 0.0 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.