Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Rome OdunzeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Rome Odunze is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.3 PPG to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Rome Odunze is the better fantasy play this season.

Rome Odunze has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.1-PPG advantage is real (10.3 to 8.2), and Rome Odunze's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Brian Thomas Jr. is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

WRChicago Bears#28PPG LEADER

Rome Odunze

PPG

10.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

661

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Rome Odunze

Head to Head

8.2 PPG10.3 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Rome Odunze: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and Rome Odunze at 47%. That ranking gap means Rome Odunze carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Rome Odunze: The Full Breakdown

Brian Thomas Jr. and Rome Odunze 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 Rome Odunze posted 10.3 PPG in 12 appearances for the Chicago Bears.

A 2.1-PPG gap gives Rome Odunze 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 Rome Odunze converted 90 looks into 661 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Brian Thomas Jr. sits Week 7 while Rome Odunze is off Week 10. 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. Rome Odunze (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Rome Odunze outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 36 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Brian Thomas Jr. played 14 games in 2025 compared to Rome Odunze's 12. That durability gap means Brian Thomas Jr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Rome Odunze scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 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 Rome Odunze: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	Rome Odunze
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	10.3
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	124
Receptions	48	44
Rec/Game	3.4	3.7
Receiving Yards	707	661
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	55.1
Receiving TDs	2	6
Targets	91	90
Target Share/Game	6.5	7.5
Age	23	24
Experience	1 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 10

Summary

Rome Odunze outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 2.1 PPG in 2025 (10.3 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 Rome Odunze in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rome Odunze has the edge at 10.3 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 Rome Odunze average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Rome Odunze averaged 10.3 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 2.1 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Rome Odunze's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and Rome Odunze (CHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Rome Odunze a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Rome Odunze outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 2.1 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.