Darnell Washington vs Michael Mayer
Who should you start in Week 5? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 5
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Darnell Washington by 0.3 projected points (5.0 vs 4.7), close enough that either call is defensible.
Darnell Washington faces IND, the 9th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Michael Mayer faces NE, the 18th-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
This one is a coin flip. The model leans Darnell Washington by 0.3 points of value over replacement (-97.5 vs -97.8), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The draft market hasn't priced this matchup yet, so treat it as a pure model call.
| Darnell WashingtonPIT | Michael MayerLVR | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 opponent | IND | NE | |
| Projected Week 5 points | 5.0 | 4.7 | Washington +0.3 pts |
| Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 30) | #9 | #18 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 81.0 | 80.6 | Washington +0.3 pts |
| Points per game | 4.8 | 4.7 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -97.5 | -97.8 | Washington +0.3 |
| Overall rank | #196 | #198 | Washington by 2 |
| Position rank | TE27 | TE28 | |
| Market ADP | - | - | |
| Typical round (12-team) | - | - | |
| Bye week | 9 | 13 |
Should I start Darnell Washington or Michael Mayer in Week 5?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Darnell Washington by 0.3 projected points (5.0 vs 4.7), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Darnell Washington or Michael Mayer in 2026 fantasy football?
Darnell Washington. He projects 81.0 fantasy points with -97.5 value over replacement, vs 80.6 points and -97.8 for Michael Mayer (TE, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.