Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Jayden HigginsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Brian Thomas Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Jayden Higgins's 6.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

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

Brian Thomas Jr. has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.8-PPG advantage is real (8.2 to 6.4), and Brian Thomas Jr.'s 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Jayden Higgins is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

WRHouston Texans#99

Jayden Higgins

PPG

6.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

525

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Jayden Higgins

Head to Head

8.2 PPG6.4 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Jayden Higgins: 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 Jayden Higgins at 29%. That ranking gap means Brian Thomas Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Jayden Higgins: The Full Breakdown

Brian Thomas Jr. and Jayden Higgins are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 PPG across 14 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Jayden Higgins posted 6.4 PPG in 17 appearances for the Houston Texans.

A 1.8-PPG gap gives Brian Thomas Jr. 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. Brian Thomas Jr. turned 91 targets into 707 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Jayden Higgins converted 68 looks into 525 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Brian Thomas Jr. is off Week 7 and Jayden Higgins Week 14. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Jayden Higgins (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Jayden Higgins by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jayden Higgins played 17 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. That durability gap means Jayden Higgins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jayden Higgins scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 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 Jayden Higgins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	Jayden Higgins
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	6.4
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	109
Receptions	48	41
Rec/Game	3.4	2.4
Receiving Yards	707	525
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	30.9
Receiving TDs	2	6
Targets	91	68
Target Share/Game	6.5	4.0
Age	23	23
Experience	1 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 14

Summary

Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Jayden Higgins by 1.8 PPG in 2025 (8.2 to 6.4). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brian Thomas Jr. or Jayden Higgins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Brian Thomas Jr. has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to Jayden Higgins's 6.4 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 Jayden Higgins average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jayden Higgins averaged 6.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Jayden Higgins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Jayden Higgins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Jayden Higgins by 1.8 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.