Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Malik WillisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Malik Willis's 12.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Derek Carr is the better play on a neutral week. 15.8 PPG with 3,533 yards gives a reliable baseline. Malik Willis at 12.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derek Carr higher, but do not fade Malik Willis entirely.

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

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QBNew Orleans Saints#99PPG LEADER

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

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

Derek Carr

Malik Willis

Head to Head

15.8 PPG12.8 PPG

15 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Malik Willis: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Malik Willis at 58%. That ranking gap means Malik Willis carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Malik Willis: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Derek Carr and Malik Willis is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New Orleans Saints quarterback put up 15.8 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Malik Willis of the Green Bay Packers averaged 12.8 in 4. A 3.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.0 points favors Derek Carr, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 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: Derek Carr sits Week 12 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

Derek Carr is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Malik Willis is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Malik Willis (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Derek Carr outscored Malik Willis by a projected 51 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Malik Willis's 4. That durability gap means Derek Carr contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Derek Carr scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derek Carr vs Malik Willis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Malik Willis
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	12.8
Games Played	15	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	51
Passing Yards	3,428	422
Passing TDs	22	3
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	105.5
Rushing Yards	105	123
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	23	5
TDs/Game	1.5	1.3
Age	-	27
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 11

Summary

15.8 PPG for Derek Carr versus 12.8 for Malik Willis in 2025. The baseline favors Derek Carr, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derek Carr or Malik Willis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 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 Derek Carr and Malik Willis average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Malik Willis averaged 12.8 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 3.0 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Malik Willis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Malik Willis (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Malik Willis a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Malik Willis by 3.0 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.