Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

J.J. McCarthy vs Malik WillisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Malik Willis is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Malik Willis is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Malik Willis and J.J. McCarthy are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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QBMinnesota Vikings#32

J.J. McCarthy

PPG

12.5

Games

Pass Yds

1,632

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

181

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

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

J.J. McCarthy

Malik Willis

Head to Head

12.5 PPG12.8 PPG

10 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Malik Willis: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, J.J. McCarthy is producing at 57% of elite pace and Malik Willis at 58%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

J.J. McCarthy vs Malik Willis: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. J.J. McCarthy finished the 2025 season at 12.5 PPG over 10 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Malik Willis clocked in at 12.8 across 4 appearances for the Green Bay Packers. A 0.3-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. J.J. McCarthy threw for 1632 yards and 11 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.

One scheduling note: J.J. McCarthy is off Week 6 and Malik Willis Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback 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: J.J. McCarthy (age 23) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. 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 J.J. McCarthy by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•J.J. McCarthy played 10 games in 2025 compared to Malik Willis's 4. That durability gap means J.J. McCarthy contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•J.J. McCarthy scored 15 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•J.J. McCarthy is 4 years younger than Malik Willis (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

J.J. McCarthy vs Malik Willis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	J.J. McCarthy	Malik Willis
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.5	12.8
Games Played	10	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	125	51
Passing Yards	1,632	422
Passing TDs	11	3
Pass Yds/Game	163.2	105.5
Rushing Yards	181	123
Rushing TDs	4	2
Total TDs	15	5
TDs/Game	1.5	1.3
Age	23	27
Experience	1 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Malik Willis at 12.8 PPG, 0.3 points per game above J.J. McCarthy's 12.5. 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 J.J. McCarthy or Malik Willis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Willis has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 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 J.J. McCarthy and Malik Willis average in 2025?▾

J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Malik Willis averaged 12.8 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are J.J. McCarthy and Malik Willis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Malik Willis (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is J.J. McCarthy or Malik Willis a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Malik Willis outscored J.J. McCarthy by 0.3 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.