Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Alec Pierce vs Brian Thomas Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Alec Pierce is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.7 PPG to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Alec Pierce is the better fantasy play this season.

Alec Pierce is the better play on a neutral week. 10.7 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 Alec Pierce higher, but do not fade Brian Thomas Jr. entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Alec Pierce and Brian Thomas Jr. in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRIndianapolis Colts#22PPG LEADER

Alec Pierce

PPG

10.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,003

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

WRJacksonville Jaguars#47

Brian Thomas Jr.

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

707

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Alec Pierce

Brian Thomas Jr.

Head to Head

10.7 PPG8.2 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Alec Pierce: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #22 at the position). Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Alec Pierce is producing at 49% of elite pace and Brian Thomas Jr. at 37%. That ranking gap means Alec Pierce carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Alec Pierce vs Brian Thomas Jr.: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Alec Pierce and Brian Thomas Jr. is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Indianapolis Colts wide receiver put up 10.7 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars averaged 8.2 in 14. A 2.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.5 points favors Alec Pierce, 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.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Alec Pierce turned 84 targets into 1003 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Brian Thomas Jr. converted 91 looks into 707 yards and 2 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Alec Pierce sits Week 13 while Brian Thomas Jr. is off Week 7. 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: Alec Pierce (age 26) 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?

•Alec Pierce outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Alec Pierce played 15 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. That durability gap means Alec Pierce contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Alec Pierce scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Brian Thomas Jr. saw 91 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Alec Pierce vs Brian Thomas Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alec Pierce	Brian Thomas Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.7	8.2
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	161	115
Receptions	47	48
Rec/Game	3.1	3.4
Receiving Yards	1,003	707
Rec Yds/Game	66.9	50.5
Receiving TDs	6	2
Targets	84	91
Target Share/Game	5.6	6.5
Age	26	23
Experience	3 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 7

Summary

10.7 PPG for Alec Pierce versus 8.2 for Brian Thomas Jr. in 2025. The baseline favors Alec Pierce, 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Alec Pierce vs Brian Thomas Jr.

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Alec Pierce vs Brian Thomas Jr.

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Alec Pierce or Brian Thomas Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Alec Pierce has the edge at 10.7 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 Alec Pierce and Brian Thomas Jr. average in 2025?▾

Alec Pierce averaged 10.7 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 2.5 points per game.

When are Alec Pierce and Brian Thomas Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alec Pierce (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alec Pierce or Brian Thomas Jr. a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Alec Pierce outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 2.5 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.