Download DraftCall for Free

Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Diontae Johnson or Malik NabersWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Malik Nabers over Diontae Johnson in 2026.

Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 PPG in 2025 to Diontae Johnson's 9.3, a 2.7 point per game edge. Nabers posted that edge in only 4 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability.

The Bottom Line

Malik Nabers has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.7-PPG advantage is real (12.0 to 9.3), and Malik Nabers's 2 touchdowns show scoring upside. Diontae Johnson 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.

Download the App

Track Diontae Johnson and Malik Nabers live in the DraftCall app.

App Store Google Play

WRBaltimore Ravens

Diontae Johnson

PPG

9.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

712

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRNew York Giants#14PPG LEADER

Malik Nabers

PPG

12.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Diontae Johnson

Malik Nabers

Head to Head

9.3 PPG12.0 PPG

15 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Diontae Johnson: Unranked WR. Malik Nabers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Diontae Johnson is producing at 42% of elite pace and Malik Nabers at 55%. That per-game gap means Malik Nabers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Diontae Johnson vs Malik Nabers: The Full Breakdown

Diontae Johnson and Malik Nabers are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 PPG across 15 games with the Baltimore Ravens, while Malik Nabers posted 12.0 PPG in 4 appearances for the New York Giants.

A 2.7-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. Diontae Johnson saw 95 targets in 2025, while Malik Nabers drew 35. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Diontae Johnson, even in weeks where Malik Nabers posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Diontae Johnson is off Week 14 and Malik Nabers Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Diontae Johnson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Malik Nabers (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Malik Nabers outscored Diontae Johnson by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Diontae Johnson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Malik Nabers's 4. That durability gap means Diontae Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Diontae Johnson scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Diontae Johnson saw 95 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Diontae Johnson vs Malik Nabers: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Diontae Johnson	Malik Nabers
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.3	12.0
Games Played	15	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	140	48
Receptions	60	18
Rec/Game	4.0	4.5
Receiving Yards	712	271
Rec Yds/Game	47.5	67.8
Receiving TDs	3	2
Targets	95	35
Target Share/Game	6.3	8.8
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 8

Summary

Malik Nabers outscored Diontae Johnson by 2.7 PPG in 2025 (12.0 to 9.3). 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Diontae Johnson vs Malik Nabers

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

App Store Google Play What you get →

Free on the App Store and Google Play. $2.99/month premium.

Inside the app

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Diontae Johnson or Malik Nabers in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Nabers has the edge at 12.0 PPG compared to Diontae Johnson's 9.3 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.

Should I draft Diontae Johnson or Malik Nabers in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Malik Nabers is the earlier pick. He averaged 12.0 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Diontae Johnson's 9.3, a 2.7 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Diontae Johnson and Malik Nabers average in 2025?▾

Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are Diontae Johnson and Malik Nabers's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Diontae Johnson (BAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Malik Nabers (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Diontae Johnson or Malik Nabers a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Malik Nabers outscored Diontae Johnson by 2.7 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.