Dalton Schultz or Michael Mayer: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 1 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Too close to call — the edges cancel out.

Dalton Schultz and Michael Mayer grade out even this week. Schultz's best edge is snap share (71% to 62%), Mayer's best edge is the projection (9.3 to 8.4) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

Dalton Schultz

Dalton Schultz

TE21HOUvs BUF

Projected Points

Start
Michael Mayer

Michael Mayer

TELVvs MIA

Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium
BUF@
HOUSun, Sep 13, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
MIA@
LVSun, Sep 13, 4:25 PM ETView the game →

Why Dalton Schultz

Start

TE1 in high-volume pass-catching role. Reliable chain-mover over the middle with sure hands.

Start — TE21 consensus, projects TE19 this week: 19% target share in 2025, 8.4 PPR projected vs BUF.

  • Vegas implies 22.0 team points as 1.5-point underdogs.
  • Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 71% snap share in 2025.

Why Michael Mayer

Toss-Up· medium

TE2 in complementary role. Physical in-line blocker with reliable short-to-intermediate hands behind the starter.

9.3 projected points is fringe TE1 territory, but a 62% snap share and 13% target share make him a volume gamble, not a plug-in play.

  • Vegas implies 22.3 team points as 3.0-point favorites.
  • Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 62% snap share in 2025.

The call

  • Role is real but not locked down: 62% of snaps over 13 games with a 13% target share means he's a secondary option, so his floor depends on red-zone looks rather than steady volume.
  • The 9.3 PPR projection clears typical replacement-level TE production, which is why the ESPN buzz (Sept 10) about adding him has traction — it's playable, not exciting.
  • Game script is neutral-to-mildly-positive: a 22.3 implied total as a 3-point favorite suggests a balanced attack rather than the pass-heavy chase mode that lifts low-target tight ends.
  • Tip it to start if you're streaming from the TE waiver pile or need touchdown equity; sit him if you have a TE with a 20%-plus target share available.

Latest on Mayer

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDalton SchultzMichael Mayer
Projected points
Consensus rankTE21—
Opponent vs positionBUFno ranking yetMIAno ranking yet
Target share19%(2025)13%(2025)
Reception share23%(2025)14%(2025)
Implied total · spread22.0+1.522.3-3.0
Depth chartTE1TE2
Snap share71%(2025)62%(2025)
Start/Sit record—0–0+1 toss-up

Signal breakdown

  • 8.4 vs 9.3 projected PPR pointsMichael Mayer +
  • Consensus position rankeven
  • Matchup (DvP composite)even
  • Implied 22.0 vs 22.3 team pointsMichael Mayer +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 71% vs 62% snap shareDalton Schultz +

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