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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

A.J. Brown vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

A.J. Brown is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 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. Ricky Pearsall at 7.8 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 Ricky Pearsall 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
15
Rec
78
Rec Yds
1,003
Rec TDs
7
Targets
121
Bye
Week 10
WRSan Francisco 49ers#52
Ricky Pearsall
PPG
7.8
Games
9
Rec
36
Rec Yds
528
Targets
53
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
A.J. Brown
Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

12.1 PPG7.8 PPG
15 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

A.J. Brown: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #12 at the position). Ricky Pearsall: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #52 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, A.J. Brown is producing at 55% of elite pace and Ricky Pearsall at 35%. That ranking gap means A.J. Brown carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

A.J. Brown vs Ricky Pearsall: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between A.J. Brown and Ricky Pearsall for your lineup, you are not alone. A.J. Brown finished the 2025 season at 12.1 PPG for the Philadelphia Eagles (15 games), and Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 for the San Francisco 49ers (9 games).

That 4.3-point weekly advantage for A.J. Brown is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Target volume is the story here. A.J. Brown saw 121 targets in 2025, while Ricky Pearsall drew 53. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for A.J. Brown, even in weeks where Ricky Pearsall posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

A.J. Brown has his bye in Week 10, and Ricky Pearsall rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

A.J. Brown is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Ricky Pearsall 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. Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • A.J. Brown outscored Ricky Pearsall by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • A.J. Brown played 15 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means A.J. Brown contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • 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 Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatA.J. BrownRicky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)12.17.8
Games Played159
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)18270
Receptions7836
Rec/Game5.24.0
Receiving Yards1,003528
Rec Yds/Game66.958.7
Receiving TDs70
Targets12153
Target Share/Game8.15.9
Age2825
Experience6 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor A.J. Brown at 12.1 PPG, 4.3 points per game above Ricky Pearsall's 7.8. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start A.J. Brown or Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, A.J. Brown has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 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 Ricky Pearsall average in 2025?

A.J. Brown averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are A.J. Brown and Ricky Pearsall's bye weeks in 2026?

A.J. Brown (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Ricky Pearsall (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is A.J. Brown or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

A.J. Brown outscored Ricky Pearsall by 4.3 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.

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