Malik Willis vs Marcus Mariota: Who Should You Start?
Malik Willis (12.8 PPG) and Marcus Mariota (12.0 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Malik Willis played 4 games for the Miami Dolphins; Marcus Mariota suited up 11 times for the Washington Commanders.
A 0.8-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Malik Willis threw for 422 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Marcus Mariota posted 1695 yards and 10 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Malik Willis sits Week 6 while Marcus Mariota is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
