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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Brandon Aiyuk or Darnell MooneyWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Brandon Aiyuk over Darnell Mooney in 2026.

Brandon Aiyuk averaged 11.8 PPG in 2025 to Darnell Mooney's 7.5, a 4.3 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

Brandon Aiyuk has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.3-PPG advantage is real (11.8 to 7.5), and Brandon Aiyuk's 5 touchdowns show scoring upside. Darnell Mooney 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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WRSan Francisco 49ersPPG LEADER

Brandon Aiyuk

PPG

11.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

762

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

WRAtlanta Falcons

Darnell Mooney

PPG

7.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

612

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Brandon Aiyuk

Darnell Mooney

Head to Head

11.8 PPG7.5 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Brandon Aiyuk: Unranked WR. Darnell Mooney: Unranked WR. Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brandon Aiyuk is producing at 54% of elite pace and Darnell Mooney at 34%. That per-game gap means Brandon Aiyuk carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brandon Aiyuk vs Darnell Mooney: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Brandon Aiyuk (San Francisco 49ers) finished the 2025 season averaging 11.8 fantasy points per game in 13 games. Darnell Mooney (Atlanta Falcons) came in at 7.5 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Brandon Aiyuk carries a 4.3-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. Brandon Aiyuk turned 82 targets into 762 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Darnell Mooney converted 78 looks into 612 yards and 3 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Brandon Aiyuk is off Week 9 and Darnell Mooney Week 12. 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

If you can acquire Brandon Aiyuk at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Darnell Mooney is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Brandon Aiyuk (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Darnell Mooney (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Brandon Aiyuk outscored Darnell Mooney by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Darnell Mooney played 15 games in 2025 compared to Brandon Aiyuk's 13. That durability gap means Darnell Mooney contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Brandon Aiyuk scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Brandon Aiyuk saw 82 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brandon Aiyuk vs Darnell Mooney: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brandon Aiyuk	Darnell Mooney
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.8	7.5
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	153	113
Receptions	58	48
Rec/Game	4.5	3.2
Receiving Yards	762	612
Rec Yds/Game	58.6	40.8
Receiving TDs	5	3
Targets	82	78
Target Share/Game	6.3	5.2
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 12

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Brandon Aiyuk holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.8 points per game. Darnell Mooney averaged 7.5 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 Brandon Aiyuk or Darnell Mooney in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Brandon Aiyuk has the edge at 11.8 PPG compared to Darnell Mooney's 7.5 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 Brandon Aiyuk or Darnell Mooney in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Brandon Aiyuk is the earlier pick. He averaged 11.8 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Darnell Mooney's 7.5, a 4.3 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Brandon Aiyuk and Darnell Mooney average in 2025?▾

Brandon Aiyuk averaged 11.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Darnell Mooney averaged 7.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are Brandon Aiyuk and Darnell Mooney's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brandon Aiyuk (SF) has a bye in Week 9, and Darnell Mooney (ATL) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brandon Aiyuk or Darnell Mooney a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Brandon Aiyuk outscored Darnell Mooney 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.