Michael Mayer vs Trey McBride: Who Should You Start?
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, 4.3 PPG) by 10.6 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.
That 10.6-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 10 and Trey McBride 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.
