Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Khalil ShakirWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Brian Thomas Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Khalil Shakir's 8.1 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 Khalil Shakir are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-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.

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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

WRBuffalo Bills#48

Khalil Shakir

PPG

8.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

719

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Khalil Shakir

Head to Head

8.2 PPG8.1 PPG

14 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Khalil Shakir: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #48 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and Khalil Shakir at 37%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Khalil Shakir: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Brian Thomas Jr. finished the 2025 season at 8.2 PPG over 14 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Khalil Shakir clocked in at 8.1 across 16 appearances for the Buffalo Bills. A 0.1-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Brian Thomas Jr. turned 91 targets into 707 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Khalil Shakir converted 95 looks into 719 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Both share a Week 7 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking wide receivers this deep on your bench, plan your replacement wide receiver early.

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. Khalil Shakir (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Khalil Shakir by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Khalil Shakir played 16 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. That durability gap means Khalil Shakir contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Khalil Shakir scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Khalil Shakir saw 95 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Both players share a Week 7 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Khalil Shakir: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	Khalil Shakir
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	8.1
Games Played	14	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	130
Receptions	48	72
Rec/Game	3.4	4.5
Receiving Yards	707	719
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	44.9
Receiving TDs	2	4
Targets	91	95
Target Share/Game	6.5	5.9
Age	23	26
Experience	1 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Brian Thomas Jr. at 8.2 PPG, 0.1 points per game above Khalil Shakir's 8.1. 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 Khalil Shakir in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Brian Thomas Jr. has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to Khalil Shakir's 8.1 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 Khalil Shakir average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Khalil Shakir averaged 8.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

Do Brian Thomas Jr. and Khalil Shakir share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Brian Thomas Jr. and Khalil Shakir share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Khalil Shakir a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Khalil Shakir by 0.1 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.