Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Mayer vs Theo JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.0 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy play this season.

Theo Johnson has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.3-PPG advantage is real (7.0 to 4.7), and Theo Johnson's 5 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

TENew York Giants#24PPG LEADER

Theo Johnson

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Michael Mayer

Theo Johnson

Head to Head

4.7 PPG7.0 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Theo Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Michael Mayer is producing at 21% of elite pace and Theo Johnson at 32%. That ranking gap means Theo Johnson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Mayer vs Theo Johnson: The Full Breakdown

Two tight ends who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders) finished the 2025 season averaging 4.7 fantasy points per game in 12 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 2.3-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 13 and Theo Johnson Week 8. 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. Theo Johnson (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Theo Johnson outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 39 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Theo Johnson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Theo Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Theo Johnson scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Theo Johnson saw 74 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 Theo Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Mayer	Theo Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	7.0
Games Played	12	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	56	105
Receptions	35	45
Rec/Game	2.9	3.0
Receiving Yards	328	528
Rec Yds/Game	27.3	35.2
Receiving TDs	1	5
Targets	50	74
Target Share/Game	4.2	4.9
Age	24	25
Experience	2 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Theo Johnson holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.0 points per game. Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Mayer or Theo Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Theo Johnson has the edge at 7.0 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 Theo Johnson average in 2025?▾

Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.3 points per game.

When are Michael Mayer and Theo Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Theo Johnson (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Mayer or Theo Johnson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Theo Johnson outscored Michael Mayer by 2.3 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.