Brian Thomas vs Puka Nacua: Who Should You Start?
There is a real production gap between these two wide receivers. Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams) averaged 19.4 PPG over 16 games in 2025, outscoring Brian Thomas (Jacksonville Jaguars, 8.2 PPG) by 11.2 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.
The per-game difference of 11.2 points favors Puka Nacua, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.
Target volume is the story here. Puka Nacua saw 166 targets in 2025, while Brian Thomas drew 91. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Puka Nacua, even in weeks where Brian Thomas posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.
One scheduling note: Brian Thomas is off Week 12 and Puka Nacua Week 6. 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.
