Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Malik WillisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Malik Willis's 12.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy play this season.

C.J. Stroud has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.1-PPG advantage is real (14.9 to 12.8), and C.J. Stroud's 20 touchdowns show scoring upside. Malik Willis 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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QBHouston Texans#23PPG LEADER

C.J. Stroud

PPG

14.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

QBGreen Bay Packers#30

Malik Willis

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

422

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

123

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Malik Willis

Head to Head

14.9 PPG12.8 PPG

14 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Malik Willis: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Malik Willis at 58%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Malik Willis: The Full Breakdown

C.J. Stroud and Malik Willis are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 PPG across 14 games with the Houston Texans, while Malik Willis posted 12.8 PPG in 4 appearances for the Green Bay Packers.

A 2.1-PPG gap gives C.J. Stroud 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.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Malik Willis posted 422 yards and 3 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: C.J. Stroud sits Week 8 while Malik Willis is off Week 11. 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: C.J. Stroud (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Malik Willis (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•C.J. Stroud outscored Malik Willis by a projected 36 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Malik Willis's 4. That durability gap means C.J. Stroud contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•C.J. Stroud scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

C.J. Stroud vs Malik Willis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Malik Willis
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	12.8
Games Played	14	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	51
Passing Yards	3,041	422
Passing TDs	19	3
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	105.5
Rushing Yards	209	123
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	20	5
TDs/Game	1.4	1.3
Age	24	27
Experience	2 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

C.J. Stroud outscored Malik Willis by 2.1 PPG in 2025 (14.9 to 12.8). 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 C.J. Stroud or Malik Willis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Malik Willis's 12.8 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 C.J. Stroud and Malik Willis average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Malik Willis averaged 12.8 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 2.1 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Malik Willis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Malik Willis (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Malik Willis a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Malik Willis by 2.1 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.