Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gardner Minshew vs Malik WillisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Malik Willis is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 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 Gardner Minshew by 0.4 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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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Gardner Minshew

PPG

12.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,420

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

125

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

Gardner Minshew

Malik Willis

Head to Head

12.4 PPG12.8 PPG

12 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Gardner Minshew: 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, Gardner Minshew is producing at 56% 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.

Gardner Minshew vs Malik Willis: The Full Breakdown

Gardner Minshew (12.4 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. Gardner Minshew played 12 games for the Las Vegas Raiders; Malik Willis suited up 4 times for the Green Bay Packers.

A 0.4-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. Gardner Minshew threw for 2420 yards and 14 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: Gardner Minshew 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: Gardner Minshew (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 Gardner Minshew by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gardner Minshew played 12 games in 2025 compared to Malik Willis's 4. That durability gap means Gardner Minshew contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Gardner Minshew scored 15 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gardner Minshew vs Malik Willis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gardner Minshew	Malik Willis
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.4	12.8
Games Played	12	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	149	51
Passing Yards	2,420	422
Passing TDs	14	3
Pass Yds/Game	201.7	105.5
Rushing Yards	125	123
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	15	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. Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 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 Gardner Minshew or Malik Willis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Willis has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 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 Gardner Minshew and Malik Willis average in 2025?▾

Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Malik Willis averaged 12.8 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Gardner Minshew and Malik Willis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gardner Minshew (LV) 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 Gardner Minshew or Malik Willis a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Malik Willis outscored Gardner Minshew by 0.4 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.