Michael Mayer · Tyler Higbee · 2026 week 5

Michael Mayer or Tyler Higbee?

Wondering who you should start this week — Michael Mayer or Tyler Higbee? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start Tyler HigbeeTyler Higbee projects 2.3 PPR points clear of Michael Mayer in week 5, drawing BUF — the 16th-ranked matchup for TEs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 5	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Michael Mayer	@ NE	6.8	32nd · tough	11.2	34	healthy
Tyler Higbee START	vs BUF	9.1	16th	11	22	healthy

TEs vs NE recently: Pat Freiermuth 3.4 pts (W2) · Brenton Strange 3.2 pts (W3) · Dawson Knox 1.3 pts (W4).

TEs vs BUF recently: Dalton Schultz 3.5 pts (W1) · Sam LaPorta 11.2 pts (W2) · Hunter Henry 6.2 pts (W4).

🎓 The coach's read

Tyler Higbee projects 2.3 points higher in PPR.
Michael Mayer faces NE, 32nd most generous to TEs.
Tyler Higbee faces BUF, 16th most generous to TEs.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Michael Mayer carries the higher trade value — 34 against 22 (a 35% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Michael Mayer gets the most. Momentum: Michael Mayer +34 and Tyler Higbee +22 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More TE decisions

Michael Mayer or Hunter Henry?Michael Mayer or AJ Barner?Michael Mayer or Mike Gesicki?Tyler Higbee or Mike Gesicki?Tyler Higbee or Pat Freiermuth?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.