Brandon Aiyuk vs Marquise Brown: The Full Breakdown
Brandon Aiyuk and Marquise Brown are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Brandon Aiyuk averaged 11.8 PPG across 13 games with the San Francisco 49ers, while Marquise Brown posted 7.1 PPG in 16 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs.
A 4.7-PPG gap gives Brandon Aiyuk the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Brandon Aiyuk turned 82 targets into 762 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Marquise Brown converted 74 looks into 587 yards and 5 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Brandon Aiyuk sits Week 9 while Marquise Brown is off Week 5. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
