Michael Mayer vs Theo Johnson: Who Should You Start?
Two tight ends who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders) finished the 2025 season averaging 4.3 fantasy points per game in 13 games. Theo Johnson (New York Giants) came in at 7.0 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.
Theo Johnson carries a 2.7-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.
Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Michael Mayer had 35 catches for 328 yards; Theo Johnson posted 45 for 528. 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 10 and Theo Johnson Week 11. 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.
