Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Cooper KuppWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.8 PPG to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy play this season.

Cooper Kupp has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.6-PPG advantage is real (10.8 to 8.2), and Cooper Kupp's 5 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

WRLos Angeles Rams#99PPG LEADER

Cooper Kupp

PPG

10.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

748

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Cooper Kupp

Head to Head

8.2 PPG10.8 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Cooper Kupp: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and Cooper Kupp at 49%. That ranking gap means Brian Thomas Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Cooper Kupp: The Full Breakdown

Brian Thomas Jr. and Cooper Kupp 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 Cooper Kupp posted 10.8 PPG in 12 appearances for the Los Angeles Rams.

A 2.6-PPG gap gives Cooper Kupp 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 Cooper Kupp converted 92 looks into 748 yards and 5 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Brian Thomas Jr. is off Week 7 and Cooper Kupp 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.

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. Cooper Kupp (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Cooper Kupp outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Brian Thomas Jr. played 14 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Kupp's 12. That durability gap means Brian Thomas Jr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Cooper Kupp scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Cooper Kupp saw 92 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 Cooper Kupp: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	Cooper Kupp
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	10.8
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	130
Receptions	48	62
Rec/Game	3.4	5.2
Receiving Yards	707	748
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	62.3
Receiving TDs	2	5
Targets	91	92
Target Share/Game	6.5	7.7
Age	23	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

Cooper Kupp outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 2.6 PPG in 2025 (10.8 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 Cooper Kupp in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Cooper Kupp has the edge at 10.8 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 Cooper Kupp average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Cooper Kupp's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Cooper Kupp a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Cooper Kupp outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 2.6 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.