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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Amari Cooper or Brian Thomas Jr.Who should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Amari Cooper over Brian Thomas Jr. in 2026.

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 PPG in 2025 to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2, a 3.0 point per game edge. Both play wide receivers, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

Amari Cooper has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.0-PPG advantage is real (11.2 to 8.2), and Amari Cooper's 4 touchdowns show scoring upside. Brian Thomas Jr. is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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WRBuffalo BillsPPG LEADER

Amari Cooper

PPG

11.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

782

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

WRJacksonville Jaguars#47

Brian Thomas Jr.

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

707

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Amari Cooper

Brian Thomas Jr.

Head to Head

11.2 PPG8.2 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Amari Cooper: Unranked WR. Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 3 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Amari Cooper is producing at 51% of elite pace and Brian Thomas Jr. at 37%. That per-game gap means Amari Cooper carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Amari Cooper vs Brian Thomas Jr.: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Amari Cooper (Buffalo Bills) finished the 2025 season averaging 11.2 fantasy points per game in 16 games. Brian Thomas Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars) came in at 8.2 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Amari Cooper carries a 3.0-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Amari Cooper turned 95 targets into 782 yards and 4 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: Amari Cooper sits Week 12 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

If you can acquire Amari Cooper at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Brian Thomas Jr. is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Amari Cooper (age 27) 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?

•Amari Cooper outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 51 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Amari Cooper played 16 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. That durability gap means Amari Cooper contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Amari Cooper scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Amari Cooper saw 95 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Amari Cooper vs Brian Thomas Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Amari Cooper	Brian Thomas Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.2	8.2
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	179	115
Receptions	65	48
Rec/Game	4.1	3.4
Receiving Yards	782	707
Rec Yds/Game	48.9	50.5
Receiving TDs	4	2
Targets	95	91
Target Share/Game	5.9	6.5
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Amari Cooper holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.2 points per game. Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 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 Amari Cooper or Brian Thomas Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Amari Cooper has the edge at 11.2 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.

Should I draft Amari Cooper or Brian Thomas Jr. in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Amari Cooper is the earlier pick. He averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2, a 3.0 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Amari Cooper and Brian Thomas Jr. average in 2025?▾

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.0 points per game.

When are Amari Cooper and Brian Thomas Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper (BUF) has a bye in Week 12, and Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Amari Cooper or Brian Thomas Jr. a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 3.0 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.