Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jayden Higgins vs Malik NabersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Malik Nabers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.0 PPG to Jayden Higgins's 6.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Malik Nabers is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Malik Nabers outscored Jayden Higgins by 5.6 PPG in 2025 with 2 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Malik Nabers is the clear pick. Jayden Higgins profiles as a matchup-dependent wide receiver who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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WRHouston Texans#99

Jayden Higgins

PPG

6.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

525

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

Jayden Higgins

Malik Nabers

Head to Head

6.4 PPG12.0 PPG

17 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jayden Higgins: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Malik Nabers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jayden Higgins is producing at 29% of elite pace and Malik Nabers at 55%. That ranking gap means Malik Nabers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jayden Higgins vs Malik Nabers: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jayden Higgins and Malik Nabers is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Houston Texans wide receiver put up 6.4 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Malik Nabers of the New York Giants averaged 12.0 in 4. A 5.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.6 points favors Malik Nabers, 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 wide receiver to the other.

Target volume is the story here. Jayden Higgins saw 68 targets in 2025, while Malik Nabers drew 35. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Jayden Higgins, even in weeks where Malik Nabers posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jayden Higgins sits Week 14 while Malik Nabers is off Week 8. 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

Malik Nabers is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jayden Higgins is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jayden Higgins (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Malik Nabers (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Malik Nabers outscored Jayden Higgins by a projected 95 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jayden Higgins played 17 games in 2025 compared to Malik Nabers's 4. That durability gap means Jayden Higgins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jayden Higgins scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Jayden Higgins saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jayden Higgins vs Malik Nabers: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jayden Higgins	Malik Nabers
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.4	12.0
Games Played	17	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	109	48
Receptions	41	18
Rec/Game	2.4	4.5
Receiving Yards	525	271
Rec Yds/Game	30.9	67.8
Receiving TDs	6	2
Targets	68	35
Target Share/Game	4.0	8.8
Age	23	22
Experience	1 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 8

Summary

12.0 PPG for Malik Nabers versus 6.4 for Jayden Higgins in 2025. The baseline favors Malik Nabers, 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 Jayden Higgins or Malik Nabers in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Nabers has the edge at 12.0 PPG compared to Jayden Higgins's 6.4 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 Jayden Higgins and Malik Nabers average in 2025?▾

Jayden Higgins averaged 6.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 5.6 points per game.

When are Jayden Higgins and Malik Nabers's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jayden Higgins (HOU) 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 Jayden Higgins or Malik Nabers a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Malik Nabers outscored Jayden Higgins by 5.6 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.