Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Tee HigginsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tee Higgins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tee Higgins is the better fantasy play this season.

Tee Higgins is the better play on a neutral week. 12.1 PPG with 846 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 Tee Higgins 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

WRCincinnati Bengals#13PPG LEADER

Tee Higgins

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

846

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Tee Higgins

Head to Head

8.2 PPG12.1 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Tee Higgins: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #13 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and Tee Higgins at 55%. That ranking gap means Tee Higgins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Tee Higgins: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Brian Thomas Jr. and Tee Higgins is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver put up 8.2 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals averaged 12.1 in 15. A 3.9-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.9 points favors Tee Higgins, 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.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Brian Thomas Jr. turned 91 targets into 707 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Tee Higgins converted 98 looks into 846 yards and 11 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 Tee Higgins is off Week 6. 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

Tee Higgins is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Brian Thomas Jr. is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Brian Thomas Jr. (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Tee Higgins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Tee Higgins outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 66 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tee Higgins played 15 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. That durability gap means Tee Higgins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tee Higgins scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Tee Higgins saw 98 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Brian Thomas Jr. is 4 years younger than Tee Higgins (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Tee Higgins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	Tee Higgins
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	12.1
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	182
Receptions	48	59
Rec/Game	3.4	3.9
Receiving Yards	707	846
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	56.4
Receiving TDs	2	11
Targets	91	98
Target Share/Game	6.5	6.5
Age	23	27
Experience	1 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

12.1 PPG for Tee Higgins versus 8.2 for Brian Thomas Jr. in 2025. The baseline favors Tee Higgins, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brian Thomas Jr. or Tee Higgins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tee Higgins has the edge at 12.1 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 Tee Higgins average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tee Higgins averaged 12.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.9 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Tee Higgins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and Tee Higgins (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Tee Higgins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Tee Higgins outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 3.9 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.