Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Mayer vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.2 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy play this season.

Pat Freiermuth is the better play on a neutral week. 6.2 PPG with 486 yards gives a reliable baseline. Michael Mayer at 4.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Pat Freiermuth higher, but do not fade Michael Mayer entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TELas Vegas Raiders#37

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

TEPittsburgh Steelers#28PPG LEADER

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Michael Mayer

Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

4.7 PPG6.2 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Michael Mayer is producing at 21% of elite pace and Pat Freiermuth at 28%. That ranking gap means Pat Freiermuth carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Mayer vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Michael Mayer and Pat Freiermuth is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Las Vegas Raiders tight end put up 4.7 PPG in 2025 over 12 games; Pat Freiermuth of the Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 6.2 in 15. A 1.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.5 points favors Pat Freiermuth, 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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Michael Mayer had 35 catches for 328 yards; Pat Freiermuth posted 41 for 486. 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 Pat Freiermuth is off Week 9. 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. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Pat Freiermuth outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Pat Freiermuth played 15 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Pat Freiermuth contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Pat Freiermuth scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Pat Freiermuth saw 54 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 Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Mayer	Pat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	6.2
Games Played	12	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	56	93
Receptions	35	41
Rec/Game	2.9	2.7
Receiving Yards	328	486
Rec Yds/Game	27.3	32.4
Receiving TDs	1	4
Targets	50	54
Target Share/Game	4.2	3.6
Age	24	27
Experience	2 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 9

Summary

6.2 PPG for Pat Freiermuth versus 4.7 for Michael Mayer in 2025. The baseline favors Pat Freiermuth, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Mayer or Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Pat Freiermuth has the edge at 6.2 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 Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?▾

Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are Michael Mayer and Pat Freiermuth's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Mayer or Pat Freiermuth a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Pat Freiermuth outscored Michael Mayer by 1.5 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.