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Cedric Tillman vs Malik NabersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Malik Nabers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.0 PPG to Cedric Tillman's 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Malik Nabers is the better fantasy play this season.

Malik Nabers has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.8-PPG advantage is real (12.0 to 8.2), and Malik Nabers's 2 touchdowns show scoring upside. Cedric Tillman is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRCleveland Browns#99
Cedric Tillman
PPG
8.2
Games
14
Rec
50
Rec Yds
612
Rec TDs
4
Targets
78
Bye
Week 10
WRNew York Giants#14PPG LEADER
Malik Nabers
PPG
12.0
Games
4
Rec
18
Rec Yds
271
Rec TDs
2
Targets
35
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cedric Tillman
Malik Nabers

Head to Head

8.2 PPG12.0 PPG
14 GP4 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Cedric Tillman: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Malik Nabers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Cedric Tillman is producing at 37% of elite pace and Malik Nabers at 55%. That ranking gap means Malik Nabers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cedric Tillman vs Malik Nabers: The Full Breakdown

Cedric Tillman and Malik Nabers are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Cedric Tillman averaged 8.2 PPG across 14 games with the Cleveland Browns, while Malik Nabers posted 12.0 PPG in 4 appearances for the New York Giants.

A 3.8-PPG gap gives Malik Nabers the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Target volume is the story here. Cedric Tillman saw 78 targets in 2025, while Malik Nabers drew 35. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Cedric Tillman, even in weeks where Malik Nabers posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Cedric Tillman sits Week 10 while Malik Nabers is off Week 8. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Malik Nabers at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Cedric Tillman is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Cedric Tillman (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Malik Nabers (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Malik Nabers outscored Cedric Tillman by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Cedric Tillman played 14 games in 2025 compared to Malik Nabers's 4. That durability gap means Cedric Tillman contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Cedric Tillman scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Cedric Tillman saw 78 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cedric Tillman vs Malik Nabers: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCedric TillmanMalik Nabers
PPG (Half-PPR)8.212.0
Games Played144
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)11548
Receptions5018
Rec/Game3.64.5
Receiving Yards612271
Rec Yds/Game43.767.8
Receiving TDs42
Targets7835
Target Share/Game5.68.8
Age-22
Experience-1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 8

Summary

Malik Nabers outscored Cedric Tillman by 3.8 PPG in 2025 (12.0 to 8.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cedric Tillman or Malik Nabers in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Nabers has the edge at 12.0 PPG compared to Cedric Tillman's 8.2 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Cedric Tillman and Malik Nabers average in 2025?

Cedric Tillman averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

When are Cedric Tillman and Malik Nabers's bye weeks in 2026?

Cedric Tillman (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Malik Nabers (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cedric Tillman or Malik Nabers a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Malik Nabers outscored Cedric Tillman by 3.8 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.