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Malik Nabers vs Tyler LockettWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Malik Nabers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.0 PPG to Tyler Lockett's 6.9 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 Tyler Lockett by 5.1 PPG in 2025 with 2 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Malik Nabers is the clear pick. Tyler Lockett 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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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
WRSeattle Seahawks#99
Tyler Lockett
PPG
6.9
Games
15
Rec
48
Rec Yds
548
Rec TDs
2
Targets
72
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Malik Nabers
Tyler Lockett

Head to Head

12.0 PPG6.9 PPG
4 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Malik Nabers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #14 at the position). Tyler Lockett: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Malik Nabers is producing at 55% of elite pace and Tyler Lockett at 31%. That ranking gap means Malik Nabers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Malik Nabers vs Tyler Lockett: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Malik Nabers and Tyler Lockett is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New York Giants wide receiver put up 12.0 PPG in 2025 over 4 games; Tyler Lockett of the Seattle Seahawks averaged 6.9 in 15. A 5.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.1 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. Tyler Lockett saw 72 targets in 2025, while Malik Nabers drew 35. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Tyler Lockett, even in weeks where Malik Nabers posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Malik Nabers has his bye in Week 8, and Tyler Lockett rests in Week 10. 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Malik Nabers is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Tyler Lockett is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Malik Nabers (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Tyler Lockett (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Malik Nabers outscored Tyler Lockett by a projected 87 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Tyler Lockett played 15 games in 2025 compared to Malik Nabers's 4. That durability gap means Tyler Lockett contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Malik Nabers scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Tyler Lockett saw 72 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 Tyler Lockett: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatMalik NabersTyler Lockett
PPG (Half-PPR)12.06.9
Games Played415
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)48104
Receptions1848
Rec/Game4.53.2
Receiving Yards271548
Rec Yds/Game67.836.5
Receiving TDs22
Targets3572
Target Share/Game8.84.8
Age22-
Experience1 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 10

Summary

12.0 PPG for Malik Nabers versus 6.9 for Tyler Lockett 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 Malik Nabers or Tyler Lockett in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Nabers has the edge at 12.0 PPG compared to Tyler Lockett's 6.9 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 Tyler Lockett average in 2025?

Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 4 games in 2025. Tyler Lockett averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.1 points per game.

When are Malik Nabers and Tyler Lockett's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Malik Nabers or Tyler Lockett a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Malik Nabers outscored Tyler Lockett by 5.1 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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