Malik Willis or Mike Evans: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 4 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Willis' every-down role edges Evans' higher-upside profile
Willis gets the narrow edge through a full-time job and designed-run value; the tiny projection gap is not meaningful enough to outweigh that role advantage. His low team scoring expectation is the main risk, limiting the chances for his mobility to translate into a big fantasy day. Evans has the stronger scoring environment and a more established receiving ceiling, but his questionable status leaves his workload less certain.
What flips it: Evans being cleared without a workload restriction.
Sources: ESPN · Sep 29, 2026
AI editor
Malik Willis
11.711.711.7 Projected Points
Mike Evans
8.310.312.4 Projected Points
Mike Evans’s market
Why Malik Willis
SitStarting QB with dual-threat mobility. Strong arm and designed-run value; a career backup signed in free agency to take over the job.
Sit — bench-tier QB at consensus QB21: 18.0 implied team total caps the ceiling, 100% snap share.
- Designed runs give Willis another route to production if Miami's passing game stalls.
- A clean availability designation makes his every-snap role easier to trust this week.
Latest on Willis
Read the full transcript from QB Malik Willis' postgame media availability on September 23, 2026.
Miami's players, coaches say takeaways from 49ers blowout will be building blocks for the rest of the season.
Read the full transcript from QB Malik Willis' postgame media availability on September 16, 2026.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Mike Evans
Toss-UpVeteran WR1 and contested-catch X. Big-bodied red-zone target with sustained vertical production.
Toss-up — WR31 consensus, projects WR28 this week: DEN is the 8th-toughest matchup vs WRs, 24.5 implied team total.
- Evans' contested-catch and red-zone profile can turn limited opportunities into a touchdown.
- ESPN 2026-09-29 brought positive injury news, but the Questionable tag still leaves workload uncertainty.
Latest on Evans
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that injuries sustained by Mike Evans, Trent Williams and Dre Greenlaw on Sunday aren't considered long-term issues.
Nick Wagoner details the positive developments with Mike Evans' rib injury.
The 49ers lost veteran WR Mike Evans in the first half of Sunday's game against the Cardinals due to a rib injury.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Malik Willis | Mike Evans |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 11.711.711.7 | 8.310.312.4 |
| Consensus rank | QB21 | WR31 |
| Opponent vs position | MIN · 14 of 323-game sample | DEN · 8 of 323-game sample |
| Passing Yards | 26 of 32 | — |
| Passing TDs | 4 of 32 | — |
| Passing Completions | 8 of 32 | — |
| Passing Attempts | 29 of 32 | — |
| Interceptions | 1 of 32 | — |
| Receptions | — | 1 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | — | 16 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | — | 7 of 32 |
| Targets | — | 12 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | — | 6 of 32 |
| Target share | — | 20% |
| Reception share | — | 20% |
| Implied total · spread | 18.0+7.5 | 24.5-2.5 |
| Depth chart | QB1 | WR1 |
| Snap share | 100% | 54% |
| Injury designation | — | Questionable |
| Start/Sit record | — | 1–1+1 toss-up |
Recent form
Malik Willis — last 3 weeks
| Week 3 | vs KC | 10.010.010.0 |
| Week 2 | vs SF | 12.512.512.5 |
| Week 1 | vs LV | 16.716.716.7 |
Mike Evans — last 3 weeks
| Week 3 | vs ARI | 9.410.912.4 |
| Week 2 | vs MIA | 5.46.98.4 |
| Week 1 | vs LAR | 10.913.916.9 |
Signal breakdown
- 11.7 vs 12.4 projected PPR pointsMike Evans +
- Rank 21 vs 31Malik Willis +
- Opponent DvP rank 14 vs 8 (32 = softest)Malik Willis +
- Implied 18.0 vs 24.5 team pointsMike Evans +
- no designation vs QuestionableMalik Willis +
- 100% vs 54% snap shareMalik Willis +
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