Michael Mayer vs Colston Loveland
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 Michael Mayer by 0.5 projected points (8.0 vs 7.4), close enough that either call is defensible.
Michael Mayer faces LA, the 26th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Colston Loveland faces NE, the 22nd-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 Michael Mayer: a clear but modest edge of 12.7 points of value over replacement (-45.7 vs -58.3).
The draft market hasn't priced this matchup yet, so treat it as a pure model call.
| Michael MayerLVR | Colston LovelandCHI | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 7 opponent | LA | NE | |
| Projected Week 7 points | 8.0 | 7.4 | Mayer +0.5 pts |
| Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 28) | #26 | #22 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 146.6 | 134.0 | Mayer +12.7 pts |
| Points per game | 8.6 | 7.9 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -45.7 | -58.3 | Mayer +12.7 |
| Overall rank | #122 | #141 | Mayer by 19 |
| Position rank | TE20 | TE22 | |
| Market ADP | - | 54.0 | |
| Typical round (12-team) | - | Rd 5 | |
| Bye week | 13 | 10 |
Should I start Michael Mayer or Colston Loveland in Week 7?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Michael Mayer by 0.5 projected points (8.0 vs 7.4), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Michael Mayer or Colston Loveland in 2026 fantasy football?
Michael Mayer. He projects 146.6 fantasy points with -45.7 value over replacement, vs 134.0 points and -58.3 for Colston Loveland (TE, PPR).