Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Mayer vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Michael Mayer's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy play this season.

Zach Ertz has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.1-PPG advantage is real (7.8 to 4.7), and Zach Ertz's 4 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

TEWashington Commanders#20PPG LEADER

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Michael Mayer

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

4.7 PPG7.8 PPG

12 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Mayer: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #37 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Michael Mayer is producing at 21% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. That ranking gap means Zach Ertz carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Mayer vs Zach Ertz: 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. Zach Ertz (Washington Commanders) came in at 7.8 PPG over 13 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Zach Ertz carries a 3.1-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; Zach Ertz posted 50 for 504. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Michael Mayer sits Week 13 while Zach Ertz is off Week 7. 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

If you can acquire Zach Ertz at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Michael Mayer is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Michael Mayer (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Zach Ertz (age 35) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Zach Ertz outscored Michael Mayer by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Zach Ertz played 13 games in 2025 compared to Michael Mayer's 12. That durability gap means Zach Ertz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Zach Ertz scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Zach Ertz saw 72 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Michael Mayer is 11 years younger than Zach Ertz (24 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Mayer vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Mayer	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	7.8
Games Played	12	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	56	101
Receptions	35	50
Rec/Game	2.9	3.8
Receiving Yards	328	504
Rec Yds/Game	27.3	38.8
Receiving TDs	1	4
Targets	50	72
Target Share/Game	4.2	5.5
Age	24	35
Experience	2 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Zach Ertz holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.8 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 Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Ertz has the edge at 7.8 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 Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Michael Mayer averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

When are Michael Mayer and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Mayer (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Mayer or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Zach Ertz outscored Michael Mayer by 3.1 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.