DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Diontae JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Diontae Johnson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.3 PPG to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Diontae Johnson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Diontae Johnson and Brian Thomas Jr. are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

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

Get the App
WRJacksonville Jaguars#47
Brian Thomas Jr.
PPG
8.2
Games
14
Rec
48
Rec Yds
707
Rec TDs
2
Targets
91
Bye
Week 7
WRBaltimore Ravens#99PPG LEADER
Diontae Johnson
PPG
9.3
Games
15
Rec
60
Rec Yds
712
Rec TDs
3
Targets
95
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Brian Thomas Jr.
Diontae Johnson

Head to Head

8.2 PPG9.3 PPG
14 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Diontae Johnson: 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 Diontae Johnson at 42%. That ranking gap means Brian Thomas Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Diontae Johnson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Brian Thomas Jr. and Diontae Johnson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 PPG with the Jacksonville Jaguars across 14 games, and Diontae Johnson posted 9.3 with the Baltimore Ravens in 15.

When two wide receivers are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Brian Thomas Jr. turned 91 targets into 707 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Diontae Johnson converted 95 looks into 712 yards and 3 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Brian Thomas Jr. has his bye in Week 7, and Diontae Johnson rests in Week 14. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Diontae Johnson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Diontae Johnson outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Diontae Johnson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. That durability gap means Diontae Johnson 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.
  • Diontae Johnson saw 95 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 Diontae Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatBrian Thomas Jr.Diontae Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)8.29.3
Games Played1415
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)115140
Receptions4860
Rec/Game3.44.0
Receiving Yards707712
Rec Yds/Game50.547.5
Receiving TDs23
Targets9195
Target Share/Game6.56.3
Age23-
Experience1 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 14

Summary

9.3 PPG for Diontae Johnson versus 8.2 for Brian Thomas Jr. in 2025. The baseline favors Diontae Johnson, 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Brian Thomas Jr. vs Diontae Johnson

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 Brian Thomas Jr. vs Diontae Johnson

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 Brian Thomas Jr. or Diontae Johnson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Diontae Johnson has the edge at 9.3 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 Brian Thomas Jr. and Diontae Johnson average in 2025?

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Diontae Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?

Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and Diontae Johnson (BAL) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Diontae Johnson a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Diontae Johnson outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 1.1 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.