Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Michael PittmanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Michael Pittman edges Brian Thomas Jr. by 1.4 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, Michael Pittman 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

WRIndianapolis Colts#33PPG LEADER

Michael Pittman

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

784

Rec TDs

Targets

111

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Michael Pittman

Head to Head

8.2 PPG9.6 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Michael Pittman: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and Michael Pittman at 44%. That ranking gap means Michael Pittman carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Michael Pittman: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Brian Thomas Jr. and Michael Pittman is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.4 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 Michael Pittman posted 9.6 with the Indianapolis Colts 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 Michael Pittman converted 111 looks into 784 yards and 7 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 Michael Pittman rests in Week 13. 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. Michael Pittman (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Michael Pittman outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Pittman played 17 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. That durability gap means Michael Pittman contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Michael Pittman scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Michael Pittman saw 111 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Brian Thomas Jr. is 5 years younger than Michael Pittman (23 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Michael Pittman: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	Michael Pittman
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	9.6
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	163
Receptions	48	80
Rec/Game	3.4	4.7
Receiving Yards	707	784
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	46.1
Receiving TDs	2	7
Targets	91	111
Target Share/Game	6.5	6.5
Age	23	28
Experience	1 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 13

Summary

Michael Pittman outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 1.4 PPG in 2025 (9.6 to 8.2). 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 Michael Pittman in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Pittman has the edge at 9.6 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 Michael Pittman average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Michael Pittman's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and Michael Pittman (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Michael Pittman a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Michael Pittman outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 1.4 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.