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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs Malik NabersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Malik Nabers over Darren Waller in 2026.

Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 PPG in 2025 to Darren Waller's 9.6, a 2.4 point per game edge. Nabers posted that edge in only 4 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability. Malik Nabers is Tier 3 among wide receivers, Darren Waller is Tier 2 among tight ends.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Malik Nabers (12.0 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Darren Waller (9.6 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

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

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TEMiami Dolphins#8

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

WRNew York Giants#14PPG LEADER

Malik Nabers

PPG

12.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Darren Waller

Malik Nabers

Head to Head

9.6 PPG12.0 PPG

8 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Malik Nabers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #14 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR in most league formats.

Darren Waller vs Malik Nabers: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Darren Waller (TE, Miami Dolphins) against Malik Nabers (WR, New York Giants) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG in 2025 over 8 games, while Malik Nabers posted 12.0 PPG across 4 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Darren Waller has his bye in Week 6, Malik Nabers in Week 8. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

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: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Malik Nabers (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Malik Nabers outscored Darren Waller by a projected 41 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Darren Waller played 8 games in 2025 compared to Malik Nabers's 4. That durability gap means Darren Waller contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darren Waller scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Malik Nabers saw 35 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Malik Nabers is 10 years younger than Darren Waller (23 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darren Waller vs Malik Nabers: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	Malik Nabers
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	12.0
Games Played	8	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	48
Receptions	24	18
Rec/Game	3.0	4.5
Receiving Yards	283	271
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	67.8
Receiving TDs	6	2
Targets	34	35
Target Share/Game	4.3	8.8
Age	33	23
Experience	10 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Malik Nabers holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.0 points per game. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 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 Darren Waller or Malik Nabers in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Nabers has the edge at 12.0 PPG compared to Darren Waller's 9.6 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 Darren Waller and Malik Nabers average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 2.4 points per game.

When are Darren Waller and Malik Nabers's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Malik Nabers (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.