Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

A.J. Brown vs Brian Thomas Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

A.J. Brown is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

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

A.J. Brown is the better play on a neutral week. 12.1 PPG with 1,003 yards gives a reliable baseline. Brian Thomas Jr. at 8.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft A.J. Brown higher, but do not fade Brian Thomas Jr. entirely.

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

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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

WRJacksonville Jaguars#47

Brian Thomas Jr.

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

707

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

A.J. Brown

Brian Thomas Jr.

Head to Head

12.1 PPG8.2 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

A.J. Brown: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #12 at the position). Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, A.J. Brown is producing at 55% of elite pace and Brian Thomas Jr. at 37%. That ranking gap means A.J. Brown carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

A.J. Brown vs Brian Thomas Jr.: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between A.J. Brown and Brian Thomas Jr. is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver put up 12.1 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars averaged 8.2 in 14. A 3.9-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.9 points favors A.J. Brown, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.

Target volume is the story here. A.J. Brown saw 121 targets in 2025, while Brian Thomas Jr. drew 91. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for A.J. Brown, even in weeks where Brian Thomas Jr. posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: A.J. Brown is off Week 10 and Brian Thomas Jr. Week 7. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

A.J. Brown is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Brian Thomas Jr. is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: A.J. Brown (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Brian Thomas Jr. (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•A.J. Brown outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 66 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•A.J. Brown played 15 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. 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.
•Brian Thomas Jr. is 5 years younger than A.J. Brown (23 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

A.J. Brown vs Brian Thomas Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	A.J. Brown	Brian Thomas Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	8.2
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	182	115
Receptions	78	48
Rec/Game	5.2	3.4
Receiving Yards	1,003	707
Rec Yds/Game	66.9	50.5
Receiving TDs	7	2
Targets	121	91
Target Share/Game	8.1	6.5
Age	28	23
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

12.1 PPG for A.J. Brown versus 8.2 for Brian Thomas Jr. in 2025. The baseline favors A.J. Brown, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start A.J. Brown or Brian Thomas Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, A.J. Brown has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 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 Brian Thomas Jr. average in 2025?▾

A.J. Brown averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.9 points per game.

When are A.J. Brown and Brian Thomas Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

A.J. Brown (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is A.J. Brown or Brian Thomas Jr. a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

A.J. Brown outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 3.9 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.