Pat Freiermuth 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 Pat Freiermuth by 0.4 projected points (8.8 vs 8.4), close enough that either call is defensible.
Pat Freiermuth faces IND, the 14th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Michael Mayer faces NE, the 19th-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 Pat Freiermuth by 4.5 points of value over replacement (-42.6 vs -47.1), 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.
| Pat FreiermuthPIT | Michael MayerLVR | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 opponent | IND | NE | |
| Projected Week 5 points | 8.8 | 8.4 | Freiermuth +0.4 pts |
| Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 30) | #14 | #19 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 149.4 | 144.9 | Freiermuth +4.5 pts |
| Points per game | 8.8 | 8.5 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -42.6 | -47.1 | Freiermuth +4.5 |
| Overall rank | #120 | #126 | Freiermuth by 6 |
| Position rank | TE19 | TE20 | |
| Market ADP | - | - | |
| Typical round (12-team) | - | - | |
| Bye week | 9 | 13 |
Should I start Pat Freiermuth or Michael Mayer in Week 5?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Pat Freiermuth by 0.4 projected points (8.8 vs 8.4), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Pat Freiermuth or Michael Mayer in 2026 fantasy football?
Pat Freiermuth. He projects 149.4 fantasy points with -42.6 value over replacement, vs 144.9 points and -47.1 for Michael Mayer (TE, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.