Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

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

Michael Wilson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.7 PPG to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Wilson is the better fantasy play this season.

Michael Wilson is the better play on a neutral week. 10.7 PPG with 1,006 yards gives a reliable baseline. Brian Thomas Jr. at 8.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Michael Wilson higher, but do not fade Brian Thomas Jr. entirely.

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

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WRJacksonville Jaguars#47

Brian Thomas Jr.

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

707

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

WRArizona Cardinals#24PPG LEADER

Michael Wilson

PPG

10.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,006

Rec TDs

Targets

126

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Michael Wilson

Head to Head

8.2 PPG10.7 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Michael Wilson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and Michael Wilson at 49%. That ranking gap means Michael Wilson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Michael Wilson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Brian Thomas Jr. and Michael Wilson 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 Michael Wilson averaged 10.7 for the Arizona Cardinals (17 games).

That 2.5-point weekly advantage for Michael Wilson 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. Michael Wilson saw 126 targets in 2025, while Brian Thomas Jr. drew 91. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Michael Wilson, even in weeks where Brian Thomas Jr. 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 Michael Wilson is off Week 14. 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. Michael Wilson (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Michael Wilson outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Wilson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. That durability gap means Michael Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Michael Wilson scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Michael Wilson saw 126 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 Michael Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	Michael Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	10.7
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	182
Receptions	48	78
Rec/Game	3.4	4.6
Receiving Yards	707	1,006
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	59.2
Receiving TDs	2	7
Targets	91	126
Target Share/Game	6.5	7.4
Age	23	26
Experience	1 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Michael Wilson at 10.7 PPG, 2.5 points per game above Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2. 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 Michael Wilson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Wilson has the edge at 10.7 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 Michael Wilson average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Michael Wilson averaged 10.7 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

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

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

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

Michael Wilson outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 2.5 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.