Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

A.J. Brown vs Brandon AiyukWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

A.J. Brown is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Brandon Aiyuk's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

A.J. Brown is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. A.J. Brown edges Brandon Aiyuk by 0.3 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, A.J. Brown 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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WRPhiladelphia Eagles#12PPG LEADER

A.J. Brown

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,003

Rec TDs

Targets

121

Bye

Week 10

WRSan Francisco 49ers#99

Brandon Aiyuk

PPG

11.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

762

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

A.J. Brown

Brandon Aiyuk

Head to Head

12.1 PPG11.8 PPG

15 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

A.J. Brown: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #12 at the position). Brandon Aiyuk: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, A.J. Brown is producing at 55% of elite pace and Brandon Aiyuk at 54%. That ranking gap means A.J. Brown carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

A.J. Brown vs Brandon Aiyuk: The Full Breakdown

A.J. Brown (12.1 PPG) and Brandon Aiyuk (11.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. A.J. Brown played 15 games for the Philadelphia Eagles; Brandon Aiyuk suited up 13 times for the San Francisco 49ers.

A 0.3-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.

Target volume is the story here. A.J. Brown saw 121 targets in 2025, while Brandon Aiyuk drew 82. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for A.J. Brown, even in weeks where Brandon Aiyuk posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: A.J. Brown sits Week 10 while Brandon Aiyuk is off Week 9. 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: A.J. Brown (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Brandon Aiyuk (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•A.J. Brown outscored Brandon Aiyuk by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•A.J. Brown played 15 games in 2025 compared to Brandon Aiyuk's 13. That durability gap means A.J. Brown contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•A.J. Brown scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•A.J. Brown saw 121 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

A.J. Brown vs Brandon Aiyuk: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	A.J. Brown	Brandon Aiyuk
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	11.8
Games Played	15	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	182	153
Receptions	78	58
Rec/Game	5.2	4.5
Receiving Yards	1,003	762
Rec Yds/Game	66.9	58.6
Receiving TDs	7	5
Targets	121	82
Target Share/Game	8.1	6.3
Age	28	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, A.J. Brown holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.1 points per game. Brandon Aiyuk averaged 11.8 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 A.J. Brown or Brandon Aiyuk in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, A.J. Brown has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Brandon Aiyuk's 11.8 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 A.J. Brown and Brandon Aiyuk average in 2025?▾

A.J. Brown averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Brandon Aiyuk averaged 11.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are A.J. Brown and Brandon Aiyuk's bye weeks in 2026?▾

A.J. Brown (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Brandon Aiyuk (SF) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is A.J. Brown or Brandon Aiyuk a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

A.J. Brown outscored Brandon Aiyuk by 0.3 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.