Harold Fannin Jr. 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.

Harold Fannin Jr. and Michael Mayer grade out even this week. Fannin's best edge is the projection (11.1 to 9.3), Mayer's best edge is the game script (22.3 implied points to 16.5) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

Harold Fannin Jr.

Harold Fannin Jr.

TE5CLEvs JAX

Projected Points

Start
Michael Mayer

Michael Mayer

TELVvs MIA

Projected Points

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

Why Harold Fannin Jr.

Start

TE1 and high-volume receiving target. Move tight end and mismatch chess piece with YAC ability.

Start — every-week TE start at consensus TE5: 16.5 implied team total caps the ceiling, 22% target share in 2025.

  • Vegas implies 16.5 team points as 7.5-point underdogs.
  • Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 76% 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

Raiders sign TE Michael Mayer to multi-year extension

Mayer has totaled 83 receptions for 788 receiving yards (9.5 avg.) and three touchdowns over 38 games (32 starts) in his first three NFL seasons.

raiders.com · Sep 12, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricHarold Fannin Jr.Michael Mayer
Projected points
Consensus rankTE5—
Opponent vs positionJAXno ranking yetMIAno ranking yet
Target share22%(2025)13%(2025)
Reception share24%(2025)14%(2025)
Implied total · spread16.5+7.522.3-3.0
Depth chartTE1TE2
Snap share76%(2025)62%(2025)
Start/Sit record—0–0+1 toss-up

Signal breakdown

  • 11.1 vs 9.3 projected PPR pointsHarold Fannin Jr. +
  • Consensus position rankeven
  • Matchup (DvP composite)even
  • Implied 16.5 vs 22.3 team pointsMichael Mayer +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 76% vs 62% snap shareHarold Fannin Jr. +

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