Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs DJ MooreWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DJ Moore is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DJ Moore is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. DJ Moore edges Brian Thomas Jr. by 0.5 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, DJ Moore goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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WRJacksonville Jaguars#47

Brian Thomas Jr.

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

707

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

WRChicago Bears#41PPG LEADER

DJ Moore

PPG

8.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

682

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

DJ Moore

Head to Head

8.2 PPG8.7 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). DJ Moore: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #41 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and DJ Moore at 40%. That ranking gap means DJ Moore carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs DJ Moore: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Brian Thomas Jr. and DJ Moore is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.5 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 DJ Moore posted 8.7 with the Chicago Bears in 17.

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 DJ Moore converted 85 looks into 682 yards and 6 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 DJ Moore rests in Week 10. 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. DJ Moore (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•DJ Moore outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DJ Moore played 17 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. That durability gap means DJ Moore contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•DJ Moore scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 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.
•Brian Thomas Jr. is 6 years younger than DJ Moore (23 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brian Thomas Jr. vs DJ Moore: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	DJ Moore
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	8.7
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	148
Receptions	48	50
Rec/Game	3.4	2.9
Receiving Yards	707	682
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	40.1
Receiving TDs	2	6
Targets	91	85
Target Share/Game	6.5	5.0
Age	23	29
Experience	1 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, DJ Moore holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.7 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 Brian Thomas Jr. or DJ Moore in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DJ Moore has the edge at 8.7 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 DJ Moore average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. DJ Moore averaged 8.7 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and DJ Moore's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and DJ Moore (CHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or DJ Moore a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DJ Moore outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 0.5 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.