Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Mayer vs Tucker KraftWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tucker Kraft is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.6 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tucker Kraft is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Tucker Kraft outscored Michael Mayer by 7.9 PPG in 2025 with 6 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Tucker Kraft 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

TEGreen Bay Packers#2PPG LEADER

Tucker Kraft

PPG

12.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Michael Mayer

Tucker Kraft

Head to Head

4.7 PPG12.6 PPG

12 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Tucker Kraft: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Michael Mayer is producing at 21% of elite pace and Tucker Kraft at 57%. That ranking gap means Tucker Kraft carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Mayer vs Tucker Kraft: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two tight ends. Tucker Kraft (Green Bay Packers) averaged 12.6 PPG over 8 games in 2025, outscoring Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders, 4.7 PPG) by 7.9 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 7.9-point weekly advantage for Tucker Kraft 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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Michael Mayer had 35 catches for 328 yards; Tucker Kraft posted 32 for 489. 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 Tucker Kraft 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Tucker Kraft 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. Tucker Kraft (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Tucker Kraft outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 134 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Mayer played 12 games in 2025 compared to Tucker Kraft's 8. That durability gap means Michael Mayer contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tucker Kraft scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Michael Mayer saw 50 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 Tucker Kraft: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Mayer	Tucker Kraft
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	12.6
Games Played	12	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	56	101
Receptions	35	32
Rec/Game	2.9	4.0
Receiving Yards	328	489
Rec Yds/Game	27.3	61.1
Receiving TDs	1	6
Targets	50	44
Target Share/Game	4.2	5.5
Age	24	25
Experience	2 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Tucker Kraft at 12.6 PPG, 7.9 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 Tucker Kraft in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tucker Kraft has the edge at 12.6 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 Tucker Kraft average in 2025?▾

Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Tucker Kraft averaged 12.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 7.9 points per game.

When are Michael Mayer and Tucker Kraft's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Tucker Kraft (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Mayer or Tucker Kraft a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tucker Kraft outscored Michael Mayer by 7.9 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.