DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Michael Mayer vs Terrance FergusonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Mayer is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.7 PPG to Terrance Ferguson's 3.3 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 Terrance Ferguson by 1.4 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Michael Mayer and Terrance Ferguson in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
TELas Vegas Raiders#37PPG LEADER
Michael Mayer
PPG
4.7
Games
12
Rec
35
Rec Yds
328
Rec TDs
1
Targets
50
Bye
Week 13
TELos Angeles Rams#99
Terrance Ferguson
PPG
3.3
Games
14
Rec
11
Rec Yds
231
Rec TDs
3
Targets
25
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Michael Mayer
Terrance Ferguson

Head to Head

4.7 PPG3.3 PPG
12 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Terrance Ferguson: 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 Terrance Ferguson at 15%. That ranking gap means Michael Mayer carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Mayer vs Terrance Ferguson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Michael Mayer and Terrance Ferguson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.4 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 Terrance Ferguson posted 3.3 with the Los Angeles Rams 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 Terrance Ferguson profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 11 catches). In weeks where Terrance Ferguson finds the end zone he out-scores Michael Mayer, but the floor gap is real.

Michael Mayer has his bye in Week 13, and Terrance Ferguson 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. Terrance Ferguson (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Michael Mayer outscored Terrance Ferguson by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Terrance Ferguson played 14 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Terrance Ferguson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Terrance Ferguson 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Mayer vs Terrance Ferguson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatMichael MayerTerrance Ferguson
PPG (Half-PPR)4.73.3
Games Played1214
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)5646
Receptions3511
Rec/Game2.90.8
Receiving Yards328231
Rec Yds/Game27.316.5
Receiving TDs13
Targets5025
Target Share/Game4.21.8
Age2423
Experience2 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 6

Summary

Michael Mayer outscored Terrance Ferguson by 1.4 PPG in 2025 (4.7 to 3.3). 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Michael Mayer vs Terrance Ferguson

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 Terrance Ferguson

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 Terrance Ferguson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Mayer has the edge at 4.7 PPG compared to Terrance Ferguson's 3.3 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 Terrance Ferguson average in 2025?

Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Terrance Ferguson averaged 3.3 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Michael Mayer and Terrance Ferguson's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Michael Mayer or Terrance Ferguson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Michael Mayer outscored Terrance Ferguson by 1.4 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.