Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Burrow vs Malik WillisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Malik Willis's 12.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

Joe Burrow is the better play on a neutral week. 16.8 PPG with 1,850 yards gives a reliable baseline. Malik Willis at 12.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Joe Burrow higher, but do not fade Malik Willis entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBCincinnati Bengals#15PPG LEADER

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBGreen Bay Packers#30

Malik Willis

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

422

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

123

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Joe Burrow

Malik Willis

Head to Head

16.8 PPG12.8 PPG

8 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Malik Willis: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Burrow is producing at 76% of elite pace and Malik Willis at 58%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Burrow vs Malik Willis: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Joe Burrow and Malik Willis is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback put up 16.8 PPG in 2025 over 8 games; Malik Willis of the Green Bay Packers averaged 12.8 in 4. A 4.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.0 points favors Joe Burrow, 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 quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Joe Burrow threw for 1809 yards and 17 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.

Joe Burrow has his bye in Week 6, and Malik Willis rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Joe Burrow is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Malik Willis is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Joe Burrow (age 29) 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?

•Joe Burrow outscored Malik Willis by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Burrow played 8 games in 2025 compared to Malik Willis's 4. That durability gap means Joe Burrow contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Joe Burrow scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Burrow vs Malik Willis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Burrow	Malik Willis
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	12.8
Games Played	8	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	51
Passing Yards	1,809	422
Passing TDs	17	3
Pass Yds/Game	226.1	105.5
Rushing Yards	41	123
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	17	5
TDs/Game	2.1	1.3
Age	29	27
Experience	5 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

16.8 PPG for Joe Burrow versus 12.8 for Malik Willis in 2025. The baseline favors Joe Burrow, 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 Joe Burrow or Malik Willis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Malik Willis's 12.8 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 Joe Burrow and Malik Willis average in 2025?▾

Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Malik Willis averaged 12.8 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

When are Joe Burrow and Malik Willis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow (CIN) 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 Joe Burrow or Malik Willis a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Malik Willis by 4.0 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.