Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Mayer vs Noah FantWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Mayer is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.7 PPG to Noah Fant'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 Noah Fant 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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TELas Vegas Raiders#37PPG LEADER

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

TECincinnati Bengals#39

Noah Fant

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

288

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Michael Mayer

Noah Fant

Head to Head

4.7 PPG4.4 PPG

12 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Noah Fant: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #39 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Michael Mayer is producing at 21% of elite pace and Noah Fant at 20%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Michael Mayer vs Noah Fant: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Michael Mayer and Noah Fant is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 PPG with the Las Vegas Raiders across 12 games, and Noah Fant posted 4.4 with the Cincinnati Bengals in 13.

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. Michael Mayer had 35 catches for 328 yards; Noah Fant posted 34 for 288. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Michael Mayer has his bye in Week 13, and Noah Fant rests in Week 6. 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.

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. Noah Fant (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Michael Mayer outscored Noah Fant by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Noah Fant played 13 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Noah Fant contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Noah Fant scored 3 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 4 years younger than Noah Fant (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Mayer vs Noah Fant: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Mayer	Noah Fant
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	4.4
Games Played	12	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	56	57
Receptions	35	34
Rec/Game	2.9	2.6
Receiving Yards	328	288
Rec Yds/Game	27.3	22.2
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	50	41
Target Share/Game	4.2	3.2
Age	24	28
Experience	2 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 6

Summary

Michael Mayer outscored Noah Fant by 0.3 PPG in 2025 (4.7 to 4.4). 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 Noah Fant in fantasy football?▾

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

Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Noah Fant averaged 4.4 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Michael Mayer and Noah Fant's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Michael Mayer or Noah Fant a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer outscored Noah Fant 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.