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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Malik Nabers vs Terry McLaurinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Malik Nabers over Terry McLaurin in 2026.

Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 PPG in 2025 to Terry McLaurin's 9.5, a 2.5 point per game edge. Nabers posted that edge in only 4 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability. Both land in Tier 3 at the position, so this is closer than the raw gap suggests.

The Bottom Line

Malik Nabers has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.5-PPG advantage is real (12.0 to 9.5), and Malik Nabers's 2 touchdowns show scoring upside. Terry McLaurin is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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WRNew York Giants#14PPG LEADER

Malik Nabers

PPG

12.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

WRWashington Commanders#35

Terry McLaurin

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

582

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Malik Nabers

Terry McLaurin

Head to Head

12.0 PPG9.5 PPG

4 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Malik Nabers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #14 at the position). Terry McLaurin: Tier 3 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Malik Nabers is producing at 55% of elite pace and Terry McLaurin at 43%. That ranking gap means Malik Nabers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Malik Nabers vs Terry McLaurin: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Malik Nabers (New York Giants) finished the 2025 season averaging 12.0 fantasy points per game in 4 games. Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders) came in at 9.5 PPG over 10 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Malik Nabers carries a 2.5-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Malik Nabers turned 35 targets into 271 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Terry McLaurin converted 60 looks into 582 yards and 3 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Malik Nabers sits Week 8 while Terry McLaurin 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 Nabers (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Terry McLaurin (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Malik Nabers outscored Terry McLaurin by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Terry McLaurin played 10 games in 2025 compared to Malik Nabers's 4. That durability gap means Terry McLaurin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Terry McLaurin scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Terry McLaurin saw 60 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Malik Nabers is 7 years younger than Terry McLaurin (23 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Malik Nabers vs Terry McLaurin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Malik Nabers	Terry McLaurin
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.0	9.5
Games Played	4	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	48	95
Receptions	18	38
Rec/Game	4.5	3.8
Receiving Yards	271	582
Rec Yds/Game	67.8	58.2
Receiving TDs	2	3
Targets	35	60
Target Share/Game	8.8	6.0
Age	23	30
Experience	1 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Malik Nabers holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.0 points per game. Terry McLaurin averaged 9.5 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 Nabers or Terry McLaurin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Nabers has the edge at 12.0 PPG compared to Terry McLaurin's 9.5 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 Terry McLaurin average in 2025?▾

Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 4 games in 2025. Terry McLaurin averaged 9.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are Malik Nabers and Terry McLaurin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Malik Nabers (NYG) has a bye in Week 8, and Terry McLaurin (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Malik Nabers or Terry McLaurin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Malik Nabers outscored Terry McLaurin by 2.5 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.