Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Mayer vs Trey McBrideWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Trey McBride is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Trey McBride is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Trey McBride outscored Michael Mayer by 10.2 PPG in 2025 with 11 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Trey McBride is the clear pick. Michael Mayer profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TELas Vegas Raiders#37

Michael Mayer

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

328

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

TEArizona Cardinals#1PPG LEADER

Trey McBride

PPG

14.9

Games

Rec

126

Rec Yds

1,239

Rec TDs

Targets

169

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Michael Mayer

Trey McBride

Head to Head

4.7 PPG14.9 PPG

12 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Trey McBride: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #1 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Michael Mayer is producing at 21% of elite pace and Trey McBride at 68%. That ranking gap means Trey McBride carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Mayer vs Trey McBride: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two tight ends. Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals) averaged 14.9 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders, 4.7 PPG) by 10.2 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 10.2-point weekly advantage for Trey McBride is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Trey McBride is the volume tight end in this matchup with 126 receptions for 1239 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 Trey McBride, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Michael Mayer is off Week 13 and Trey McBride Week 14. 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

Trey McBride is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Michael Mayer is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Michael Mayer (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Trey McBride (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Trey McBride outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 173 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Trey McBride played 17 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Trey McBride contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Trey McBride scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Trey McBride saw 169 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 Trey McBride: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Mayer	Trey McBride
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	14.9
Games Played	12	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	56	253
Receptions	35	126
Rec/Game	2.9	7.4
Receiving Yards	328	1,239
Rec Yds/Game	27.3	72.9
Receiving TDs	1	11
Targets	50	169
Target Share/Game	4.2	9.9
Age	24	26
Experience	2 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Trey McBride at 14.9 PPG, 10.2 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 Trey McBride in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Trey McBride has the edge at 14.9 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 Trey McBride average in 2025?▾

Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Trey McBride averaged 14.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 10.2 points per game.

When are Michael Mayer and Trey McBride's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Trey McBride (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Mayer or Trey McBride a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Trey McBride outscored Michael Mayer by 10.2 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.