Wondering who you should start this week — Deshaun Watson or Malik Willis? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.
Start Deshaun Watson — barelyThis one is a coin flip — the projections are within 0 points. The matchup leans Deshaun Watson (PIT allow the 29th-most QB points), but you can defend either call.
Player
Wk 8
Proj (PPR)
Matchup
Form L3
Trade value
Status
Deshaun WatsonSTART
@ PIT
13.9
29th · tough
13.6
89
healthy
Malik Willis
vs NE
13.9
23rd
16.5
138
healthy
QBs vs PIT recently: Daniel Jones 11.1 pts (W5) · Jalon Daniels 12.2 pts (W6) · Tyler Shough 14.8 pts (W7).
QBs vs NE recently: Kirk Cousins 13.7 pts (W5) · Geno Smith 13 pts (W6) · Caleb Williams 22.1 pts (W7).
🎓 The coach's read
They carry identical projections — projection alone cannot separate them.
Deshaun Watson has the higher floor (7.1) — the safer start if you are favoured.
Malik Willis has the higher ceiling (26.1) — the play if you need points.
Deshaun Watson is steady — about 21% less volatile week to week than a typical QB projected here — higher floor, lower ceiling.
Malik Willis is boom-or-bust — about 16% more volatile week to week than a typical QB projected here — wider range in both directions.
Deshaun Watson faces PIT, 29th most generous to QBs.
Who wins a straight-up trade?
Malik Willis carries the higher trade value — 138 against 89 (a 36% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Malik Willis gets the most.
Momentum: Deshaun Watson -21 and Malik Willis +27 over the last 30 days.