Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Jalen McMillanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Brian Thomas Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Jalen McMillan's 6.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

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

Brian Thomas Jr. is the better play on a neutral week. 8.2 PPG with 728 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jalen McMillan at 6.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Brian Thomas Jr. higher, but do not fade Jalen McMillan entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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

WRTampa Bay Buccaneers#99

Jalen McMillan

PPG

6.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

178

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Jalen McMillan

Head to Head

8.2 PPG6.0 PPG

14 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Jalen McMillan: 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 Jalen McMillan at 27%. That ranking gap means Brian Thomas Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Jalen McMillan: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Brian Thomas Jr. and Jalen McMillan for your lineup, you are not alone. Brian Thomas Jr. finished the 2025 season at 8.2 PPG for the Jacksonville Jaguars (14 games), and Jalen McMillan averaged 6.0 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4 games).

That 2.2-point weekly advantage for Brian Thomas Jr. is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Target volume is the story here. Brian Thomas Jr. saw 91 targets in 2025, while Jalen McMillan drew 15. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Brian Thomas Jr., even in weeks where Jalen McMillan posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Brian Thomas Jr. sits Week 7 while Jalen McMillan is off Week 11. 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. Jalen McMillan (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Jalen McMillan by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Brian Thomas Jr. played 14 games in 2025 compared to Jalen McMillan's 4. That durability gap means Brian Thomas Jr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•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 Jalen McMillan: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	Jalen McMillan
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	6.0
Games Played	14	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	24
Receptions	48	12
Rec/Game	3.4	3.0
Receiving Yards	707	178
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	44.5
Receiving TDs	2	0
Targets	91	15
Target Share/Game	6.5	3.8
Age	23	24
Experience	1 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Brian Thomas Jr. at 8.2 PPG, 2.2 points per game above Jalen McMillan's 6.0. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brian Thomas Jr. or Jalen McMillan in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Brian Thomas Jr. has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to Jalen McMillan's 6.0 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 Jalen McMillan average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jalen McMillan averaged 6.0 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Jalen McMillan's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and Jalen McMillan (TB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Jalen McMillan a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Jalen McMillan by 2.2 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.