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Ja'Marr Chase vs Malik Nabers

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

WRCincinnati BengalsPPG LEADER
Ja'Marr Chase
PPG
15.7
Games
16
Rec
125
Rec Yds
1,412
Rec TDs
8
Targets
185
Bye
Week 12
WRNew York Giants
Malik Nabers
PPG
12.0
Games
4
Rec
18
Rec Yds
271
Rec TDs
2
Targets
35
Bye
Week 11

Head to Head

15.7 PPG12.0 PPG
16 GP4 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 11

Ja'Marr Chase vs Malik Nabers: Who Should You Start?

If you are choosing between Ja'Marr Chase and Malik Nabers for your lineup, you are not alone. Ja'Marr Chase finished the 2025 season at 15.7 PPG for the Cincinnati Bengals (16 games), and Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 for the New York Giants (4 games).

That 3.7-point weekly advantage for Ja'Marr Chase is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Target volume is the story here. Ja'Marr Chase saw 185 targets in 2025, while Malik Nabers drew 35. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ja'Marr Chase, even in weeks where Malik Nabers posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Ja'Marr Chase has his bye in Week 12, and Malik Nabers rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

The Bottom Line

The 2025 numbers favor Ja'Marr Chase at 15.7 PPG, 3.7 points per game above Malik Nabers's 12.0. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ja'Marr Chase or Malik Nabers in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Ja'Marr Chase has the edge at 15.7 PPG compared to Malik Nabers's 12.0 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 Ja'Marr Chase and Malik Nabers average in 2025?

Ja'Marr Chase averaged 15.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 3.7 points per game.

When are Ja'Marr Chase and Malik Nabers's bye weeks in 2026?

Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) has a bye in Week 12, and Malik Nabers (NYG) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ja'Marr Chase or Malik Nabers a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Ja'Marr Chase outscored Malik Nabers by 3.7 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.