DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Michael Mayer vs Taysom HillWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Taysom Hill is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.5 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Taysom Hill is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Taysom Hill and Michael Mayer are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.8-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Michael Mayer and Taysom Hill in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
TELas Vegas Raiders#37
Michael Mayer
PPG
4.7
Games
12
Rec
35
Rec Yds
328
Rec TDs
1
Targets
50
Bye
Week 13
TENew Orleans Saints#99PPG LEADER
Taysom Hill
PPG
5.5
Games
14
Rec
18
Rec Yds
195
Rec TDs
2
Bye
Week 12

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Michael Mayer
Taysom Hill

Head to Head

4.7 PPG5.5 PPG
12 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Taysom Hill: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Michael Mayer is producing at 21% of elite pace and Taysom Hill at 25%. That ranking gap means Michael Mayer carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Mayer vs Taysom Hill: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Michael Mayer and Taysom Hill is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.8 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 Taysom Hill posted 5.5 with the New Orleans Saints in 14.

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.

Michael Mayer is the volume tight end in this matchup with 35 receptions for 328 yards, while Taysom Hill profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (2 scores on 18 catches). In weeks where Taysom Hill finds the end zone he out-scores Michael Mayer, but the floor gap is real.

Michael Mayer has his bye in Week 13, and Taysom Hill rests in Week 12. 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. Taysom Hill (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Taysom Hill outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Taysom Hill played 14 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Taysom Hill contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Taysom Hill scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Mayer vs Taysom Hill: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatMichael MayerTaysom Hill
PPG (Half-PPR)4.75.5
Games Played1214
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)5677
Receptions3518
Rec/Game2.91.3
Receiving Yards328195
Rec Yds/Game27.313.9
Receiving TDs12
Targets500
Target Share/Game4.20.0
Age24-
Experience2 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Taysom Hill at 5.5 PPG, 0.8 points per game above Michael Mayer's 4.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Michael Mayer vs Taysom Hill

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Michael Mayer vs Taysom Hill

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Mayer or Taysom Hill in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Taysom Hill has the edge at 5.5 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 Taysom Hill average in 2025?

Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Taysom Hill averaged 5.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Michael Mayer and Taysom Hill's bye weeks in 2026?

Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Taysom Hill (NO) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Mayer or Taysom Hill a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Taysom Hill outscored Michael Mayer by 0.8 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.