Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Mayer vs Oronde Gadsden IIWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Oronde Gadsden II is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.1 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Oronde Gadsden II is the better fantasy play this season.

Oronde Gadsden II has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.4-PPG advantage is real (7.1 to 4.7), and Oronde Gadsden II's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Michael Mayer is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TELas Vegas Raiders#37

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

TELos Angeles Chargers#23PPG LEADER

Oronde Gadsden II

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

664

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Michael Mayer

Oronde Gadsden II

Head to Head

4.7 PPG7.1 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Oronde Gadsden II: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Michael Mayer is producing at 21% of elite pace and Oronde Gadsden II at 32%. That ranking gap means Oronde Gadsden II carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Mayer vs Oronde Gadsden II: The Full Breakdown

Michael Mayer and Oronde Gadsden II are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 PPG across 12 games with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Oronde Gadsden II posted 7.1 PPG in 15 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 2.4-PPG gap gives Oronde Gadsden II the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Michael Mayer had 35 catches for 328 yards; Oronde Gadsden II posted 49 for 664. 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 scheduling note: Michael Mayer is off Week 13 and Oronde Gadsden II Week 7. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Oronde Gadsden II (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Oronde Gadsden II outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 41 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Oronde Gadsden II played 15 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Oronde Gadsden II contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Oronde Gadsden II scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Oronde Gadsden II saw 69 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Mayer vs Oronde Gadsden II: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Mayer	Oronde Gadsden II
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	7.1
Games Played	12	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	56	107
Receptions	35	49
Rec/Game	2.9	3.3
Receiving Yards	328	664
Rec Yds/Game	27.3	44.3
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	50	69
Target Share/Game	4.2	4.6
Age	24	22
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 7

Summary

Oronde Gadsden II outscored Michael Mayer by 2.4 PPG in 2025 (7.1 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 Michael Mayer or Oronde Gadsden II in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Oronde Gadsden II has the edge at 7.1 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 Michael Mayer and Oronde Gadsden II average in 2025?▾

Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.4 points per game.

When are Michael Mayer and Oronde Gadsden II's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Oronde Gadsden II (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Mayer or Oronde Gadsden II a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Oronde Gadsden II outscored Michael Mayer by 2.4 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.