Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Malik WillisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Malik Willis is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Malik Willis is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Malik Willis edges Deshaun Watson by 0.6 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Malik Willis goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBCleveland Browns#99

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBGreen Bay Packers#30PPG LEADER

Malik Willis

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

422

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

123

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

Malik Willis

Head to Head

12.2 PPG12.8 PPG

11 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: 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, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% 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.

Deshaun Watson vs Malik Willis: The Full Breakdown

Deshaun Watson (12.2 PPG) and Malik Willis (12.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Deshaun Watson played 11 games for the Cleveland Browns; Malik Willis suited up 4 times for the Green Bay Packers.

A 0.6-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Deshaun Watson threw for 2105 yards and 12 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: Deshaun Watson sits Week 10 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: Deshaun Watson (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?

•Malik Willis outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deshaun Watson played 11 games in 2025 compared to Malik Willis's 4. That durability gap means Deshaun Watson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Deshaun Watson scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deshaun Watson vs Malik Willis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	Malik Willis
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	12.8
Games Played	11	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	51
Passing Yards	2,105	422
Passing TDs	12	3
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	105.5
Rushing Yards	185	123
Rushing TDs	2	2
Total TDs	14	5
TDs/Game	1.3	1.3
Age	-	27
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Malik Willis holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.8 points per game. Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deshaun Watson or Malik Willis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Willis has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 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 Deshaun Watson and Malik Willis average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Malik Willis averaged 12.8 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and Malik Willis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Malik Willis (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deshaun Watson or Malik Willis a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Malik Willis outscored Deshaun Watson by 0.6 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.