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Malik Nabers vs Rome OdunzeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Malik Nabers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.0 PPG to Rome Odunze's 10.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Malik Nabers is the better fantasy play this season.

Malik Nabers is the better play on a neutral week. 12.0 PPG with 271 yards gives a reliable baseline. Rome Odunze at 10.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Malik Nabers higher, but do not fade Rome Odunze entirely.

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

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WRNew York Giants#14PPG LEADER
Malik Nabers
PPG
12.0
Games
4
Rec
18
Rec Yds
271
Rec TDs
2
Targets
35
Bye
Week 8
WRChicago Bears#28
Rome Odunze
PPG
10.3
Games
12
Rec
44
Rec Yds
661
Rec TDs
6
Targets
90
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Malik Nabers
Rome Odunze

Head to Head

12.0 PPG10.3 PPG
4 GP12 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Malik Nabers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #14 at the position). Rome Odunze: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Malik Nabers is producing at 55% of elite pace and Rome Odunze at 47%. That ranking gap means Malik Nabers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Malik Nabers vs Rome Odunze: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze for your lineup, you are not alone. Malik Nabers finished the 2025 season at 12.0 PPG for the New York Giants (4 games), and Rome Odunze averaged 10.3 for the Chicago Bears (12 games).

That 1.7-point weekly advantage for Malik Nabers 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. Rome Odunze saw 90 targets in 2025, while Malik Nabers drew 35. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Rome Odunze, 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: Malik Nabers sits Week 8 while Rome Odunze is off Week 10. 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: Malik Nabers (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Rome Odunze (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Malik Nabers outscored Rome Odunze by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Rome Odunze played 12 games in 2025 compared to Malik Nabers's 4. That durability gap means Rome Odunze contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Rome Odunze scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Rome Odunze saw 90 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Malik Nabers vs Rome Odunze: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatMalik NabersRome Odunze
PPG (Half-PPR)12.010.3
Games Played412
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)48124
Receptions1844
Rec/Game4.53.7
Receiving Yards271661
Rec Yds/Game67.855.1
Receiving TDs26
Targets3590
Target Share/Game8.87.5
Age2224
Experience1 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Malik Nabers at 12.0 PPG, 1.7 points per game above Rome Odunze's 10.3. 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 Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Nabers has the edge at 12.0 PPG compared to Rome Odunze's 10.3 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 Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze average in 2025?

Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 4 games in 2025. Rome Odunze averaged 10.3 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze's bye weeks in 2026?

Malik Nabers (NYG) has a bye in Week 8, and Rome Odunze (CHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Malik Nabers outscored Rome Odunze by 1.7 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.

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