Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Mayer vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

T.J. Hockenson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.8 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

T.J. Hockenson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, T.J. Hockenson and Michael Mayer are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-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.

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TELas Vegas Raiders#37

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

TEMinnesota Vikings#30PPG LEADER

T.J. Hockenson

PPG

5.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

438

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Michael Mayer

T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

4.7 PPG5.8 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). T.J. Hockenson: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Michael Mayer is producing at 21% of elite pace and T.J. Hockenson at 26%. That ranking gap means T.J. Hockenson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Mayer vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

Michael Mayer (4.7 PPG) and T.J. Hockenson (5.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Michael Mayer played 12 games for the Las Vegas Raiders; T.J. Hockenson suited up 15 times for the Minnesota Vikings.

A 1.1-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

T.J. Hockenson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 51 receptions for 438 yards, while Michael Mayer profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 35 catches). In weeks where Michael Mayer finds the end zone he out-scores T.J. Hockenson, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Michael Mayer sits Week 13 while T.J. Hockenson is off Week 6. 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. T.J. Hockenson (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•T.J. Hockenson outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•T.J. Hockenson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means T.J. Hockenson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•T.J. Hockenson scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•T.J. Hockenson saw 66 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Michael Mayer is 4 years younger than T.J. Hockenson (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Mayer vs T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Mayer	T.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	5.8
Games Played	12	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	56	87
Receptions	35	51
Rec/Game	2.9	3.4
Receiving Yards	328	438
Rec Yds/Game	27.3	29.2
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	50	66
Target Share/Game	4.2	4.4
Age	24	28
Experience	2 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor T.J. Hockenson at 5.8 PPG, 1.1 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Mayer or T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, T.J. Hockenson has the edge at 5.8 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 T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?▾

Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Michael Mayer and T.J. Hockenson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and T.J. Hockenson (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Mayer or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

T.J. Hockenson outscored Michael Mayer by 1.1 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.