Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Malik Willis vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Malik Willis is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Malik Willis is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Malik Willis edges Marcus Mariota by 0.2 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Malik Willis goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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QBGreen Bay Packers#30PPG LEADER

Malik Willis

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

422

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

123

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBWashington Commanders#31

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Malik Willis

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

12.8 PPG12.6 PPG

4 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Malik Willis: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #30 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Malik Willis is producing at 58% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Malik Willis vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Malik Willis (12.8 PPG) and Marcus Mariota (12.6 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 Green Bay Packers; Marcus Mariota suited up 10 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 0.2-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 11 while Marcus Mariota is off Week 7. 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 Willis (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Malik Willis outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Marcus Mariota played 10 games in 2025 compared to Malik Willis's 4. That durability gap means Marcus Mariota contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Marcus Mariota scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Malik Willis is 5 years younger than Marcus Mariota (27 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Malik Willis vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Malik Willis	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	12.6
Games Played	4	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	51	126
Passing Yards	422	1,695
Passing TDs	3	10
Pass Yds/Game	105.5	169.5
Rushing Yards	123	297
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	5	11
TDs/Game	1.3	1.1
Age	27	32
Experience	3 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Malik Willis holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.8 points per game. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Malik Willis or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Willis has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 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 Willis and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Malik Willis averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 4 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Malik Willis and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Malik Willis (GB) has a bye in Week 11, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Malik Willis or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Malik Willis outscored Marcus Mariota by 0.2 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.