Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Darnell MooneyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Brian Thomas Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Darnell Mooney's 7.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Brian Thomas Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Brian Thomas Jr. and Darnell Mooney are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRJacksonville Jaguars#47PPG LEADER

Brian Thomas Jr.

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

707

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

WRAtlanta Falcons#99

Darnell Mooney

PPG

7.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

612

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Darnell Mooney

Head to Head

8.2 PPG7.5 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Darnell Mooney: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and Darnell Mooney at 34%. That ranking gap means Brian Thomas Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Darnell Mooney: The Full Breakdown

Brian Thomas Jr. (8.2 PPG) and Darnell Mooney (7.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Brian Thomas Jr. played 14 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars; Darnell Mooney suited up 15 times for the Atlanta Falcons.

A 0.7-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Brian Thomas Jr. turned 91 targets into 707 yards and 2 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Brian Thomas Jr. sits Week 7 while Darnell Mooney is off Week 12. 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: Brian Thomas Jr. (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Darnell Mooney (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Darnell Mooney by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Darnell Mooney played 15 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. That durability gap means Darnell Mooney contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Brian Thomas Jr. scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 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

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Darnell Mooney: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	Darnell Mooney
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	7.5
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	113
Receptions	48	48
Rec/Game	3.4	3.2
Receiving Yards	707	612
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	40.8
Receiving TDs	2	3
Targets	91	78
Target Share/Game	6.5	5.2
Age	23	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 12

Summary

8.2 PPG for Brian Thomas Jr. versus 7.5 for Darnell Mooney in 2025. The baseline favors Brian Thomas Jr., 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brian Thomas Jr. or Darnell Mooney in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Brian Thomas Jr. has the edge at 8.2 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.

How many fantasy points did Brian Thomas Jr. and Darnell Mooney average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Darnell Mooney averaged 7.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Darnell Mooney's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Darnell Mooney a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Darnell Mooney by 0.7 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.