Michael Mayer 2026 fantasy outlook and rest-of-season projection
- Age
- 25
- Height / weight
- 6'4", 256 lb
- Experience
- 4th season
- Drafted
- 2023 R2, #35
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- 8.9
- Pos rank
- TE19
- Rostered
- 13%
Week 4 vs. Chiefs, Sun Oct 4, 4:25 PM ET 15th vs. TEs, neutral
Michael Mayer Rest-of-Season Outlook
Efficient TE2 worth a bench spot
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
He finished TE38 last season at 5.7 points per game.
Our Take After Week 4
Through 3 games he's TE19 at 8.9 PPR points per game, against 5.7 over 13 games last season (TE38). He's running ahead of last season's pace.
Last season he ranked 34th of 81 in route participation (43.2%), 28th of 82 in target share (10.1%) and 27th of 82 in efficiency (1.32 yards per route run). His points come from his efficiency. Route participation is the soft spot. Kirk Cousins is his quarterback.
He's TE2 on the depth chart, so his value depends on the players ahead of him.
Read our preseason outlook (June 2026)
Published June 17, 2026. Kept for reference; the take above replaces it.
Mayer posted the best counting season of his career in 2025, yet it still landed him at TE35. Over 13 games on a 61.8 percent snap share he ran 249 routes, drew a 10.1 percent target share and a strong 0.201 targets-per-route rate, catching 35 of 50 targets for 328 yards and a touchdown with just one drop. The problem is depth of usage: a thin 4.8 air yards per target, a -0.197 EPA per play and a 46 percent success rate reveal a checkdown role, even as his 5.6 yards after the catch per reception added juice.
The trend is up from 2024s 15.6 points but still shy of his 2023 rookie pace (44.4 points, 0.418 EPA). A 2023 second-round Notre Dame pick, he profiles as a blocking-first complement whose fantasy value is TD-dependent and matchup-driven. With 6 red-zone targets hinting at scoring upside but no volume foundation, Mayer is a streaming-only tight end and waiver option, not a player to roster through quiet weeks.
What Drives His Outlook
His 2025 rank among the 81 tight ends who played at least six games. Each bar is one tight end, best on the left; his is highlighted.
Route participation
Target share
Efficiency
- Average depth of target
- 4.8
- Drop rate
- 2.0%
- Red-zone targets
- 6
- Route participation
- 43.2%
- YAC per reception
- 5.6
What Could Change His Value
Upside
- The scheduleNone of his next four opponents is a top-10 matchup for TEs.Wk 4 KC, 15thWk 5 NE, 31stWk 6 BUF, 24thWk 7 LAR, 29th
- Heavy target share10.1% target share, 28th of 82 TEs in 2025.
- Strong efficiency1.32 yards per route run, 27th of 82 TEs in 2025.
Risk
- RoleHe's TE2 on the depth chart.
- Tough matchupsThe Patriots in Week 5 (31st) and the Bills in Week 6 (24th) are among the stingiest defenses against TEs.
All Michael Mayer stats & analysis
TEs like Michael Mayer
Michael Mayer Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is Michael Mayer's fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2026 season?
Michael Mayer projects as an efficient TE2 worth a bench spot for the rest of the 2026 season: a matchup play in TE-premium leagues, a bench stash in 12-team leagues and waiver-wire material in 10-team leagues. His efficiency (1.32 yards per route run, 27th of 82 TEs in 2025) supports that. His route participation (43.2% route participation, 34th of 81 TEs in 2025) holds him back. See his live rank in Redraft Command.
What is Michael Mayer's rest-of-season fantasy ranking?
Michael Mayer is the TE19 in PPR points per game through Week 4. That puts him in TE2 territory, a bench stash in 12-team leagues.
What is Michael Mayer's projected role going forward?
Michael Mayer is TE2 on the depth chart, so a bigger role needs an injury or a change ahead of him.
Will Michael Mayer get more targets?
Michael Mayer's targets are holding steady: 3.5 a game over his last two games against 4.7 for the season. His share of the offense is what his fantasy value rides on.
What is Michael Mayer's fantasy football upside?
Michael Mayer's upside: his ceiling this season is 12.2 PPR points (Week 3, TE13) and his efficiency (1.32 yards per route run, 27th of 82 TEs in 2025) gives him a weekly floor to build on.
What could hurt Michael Mayer's fantasy value?
Michael Mayer's risks: his route participation (43.2% route participation, 34th of 81 TEs in 2025) limits his scoring and the Patriots in Week 5 and the Bills in Week 6 are tough matchups. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is Michael Mayer's remaining fantasy schedule?
Difficult: of his next seven games, 0 come against a top-10 matchup for TEs and 4 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.