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Brian Thomas Jr. vs Ryan FlournoyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Brian Thomas Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Ryan Flournoy's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Brian Thomas Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Brian Thomas Jr. edges Ryan Flournoy by 1.0 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, Brian Thomas Jr. 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#47PPG LEADER
Brian Thomas Jr.
PPG
8.2
Games
14
Rec
48
Rec Yds
707
Rec TDs
2
Targets
91
Bye
Week 7
WRDallas Cowboys#55
Ryan Flournoy
PPG
7.2
Games
13
Rec
40
Rec Yds
475
Rec TDs
4
Targets
56
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Brian Thomas Jr.
Ryan Flournoy

Head to Head

8.2 PPG7.2 PPG
14 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Ryan Flournoy: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #55 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and Ryan Flournoy at 33%. That ranking gap means Brian Thomas Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Ryan Flournoy: 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 Ryan Flournoy clocked in at 7.2 across 13 appearances for the Dallas Cowboys. A 1.0-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.

Target volume is the story here. Brian Thomas Jr. saw 91 targets in 2025, while Ryan Flournoy drew 56. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Brian Thomas Jr., even in weeks where Ryan Flournoy posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Brian Thomas Jr. is off Week 7 and Ryan Flournoy Week 14. 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.

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

Did You Know?

  • Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Ryan Flournoy by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Brian Thomas Jr. played 14 games in 2025 compared to Ryan Flournoy's 13. That durability gap means Brian Thomas Jr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Ryan Flournoy scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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 Ryan Flournoy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatBrian Thomas Jr.Ryan Flournoy
PPG (Half-PPR)8.27.2
Games Played1413
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)11594
Receptions4840
Rec/Game3.43.1
Receiving Yards707475
Rec Yds/Game50.536.5
Receiving TDs24
Targets9156
Target Share/Game6.54.3
Age2326
Experience1 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Brian Thomas Jr. holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.2 points per game. Ryan Flournoy averaged 7.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brian Thomas Jr. or Ryan Flournoy in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Brian Thomas Jr. has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to Ryan Flournoy's 7.2 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 Ryan Flournoy average in 2025?

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Ryan Flournoy averaged 7.2 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Ryan Flournoy's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Ryan Flournoy a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Ryan Flournoy by 1.0 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.