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Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Brian Thomas Jr. over Ricky Pearsall in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. (8.2 PPG) and Ricky Pearsall (7.8) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Thomas also stayed healthier, playing 14 games to 9, which steadies his weekly floor. Both land in Tier 3 at the position, so this is closer than the raw gap suggests.

The Bottom Line

This one is genuinely close. Brian Thomas Jr. edges Ricky Pearsall by 0.4 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

Rec

Rec Yds

707

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

WRSan Francisco 49ers#52

Ricky Pearsall

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

8.2 PPG7.8 PPG

14 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 3 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Ricky Pearsall: Tier 3 (Deep League) WR (ranked #52 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and Ricky Pearsall at 35%. That ranking gap means Brian Thomas Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Ricky Pearsall: 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 Ricky Pearsall clocked in at 7.8 across 9 appearances for the San Francisco 49ers. A 0.4-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 Ricky Pearsall drew 53. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Brian Thomas Jr., even in weeks where Ricky Pearsall 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 Ricky Pearsall Week 8. 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. Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Ricky Pearsall by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Brian Thomas Jr. played 14 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means Brian Thomas Jr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•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 Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	Ricky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	7.8
Games Played	14	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	70
Receptions	48	36
Rec/Game	3.4	4.0
Receiving Yards	707	528
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	58.7
Receiving TDs	2	0
Targets	91	53
Target Share/Game	6.5	5.9
Age	23	25
Experience	1 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Brian Thomas Jr. holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.2 points per game. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 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 Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Brian Thomas Jr. has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 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 Ricky Pearsall average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Ricky Pearsall's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and Ricky Pearsall (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. outscored Ricky Pearsall by 0.4 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.