AJ Barner vs Michael Mayer
Who should you start in Week 7? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 7
This week is a coin flip. The model leans AJ Barner by 0.9 projected points (5.4 vs 4.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
AJ Barner faces KC, the 14th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Michael Mayer faces LA, the 25th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
The model takes AJ Barner: a clear but modest edge of 7.7 points of value over replacement (-90.2 vs -97.9).
The draft market hasn't priced this matchup yet, so treat it as a pure model call.
| AJ BarnerSEA | Michael MayerLVR | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 7 opponent | KC | LA | |
| Projected Week 7 points | 5.4 | 4.5 | Barner +0.9 pts |
| Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 28) | #14 | #25 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 90.4 | 82.7 | Barner +7.7 pts |
| Points per game | 5.3 | 4.9 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -90.2 | -97.9 | Barner +7.7 |
| Overall rank | #168 | #197 | Barner by 29 |
| Position rank | TE24 | TE27 | |
| Market ADP | - | - | |
| Typical round (12-team) | - | - | |
| Bye week | 11 | 13 |
Should I start AJ Barner or Michael Mayer in Week 7?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans AJ Barner by 0.9 projected points (5.4 vs 4.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft AJ Barner or Michael Mayer in 2026 fantasy football?
AJ Barner. He projects 90.4 fantasy points with -90.2 value over replacement, vs 82.7 points and -97.9 for Michael Mayer (TE, PPR).