Brian Thomas Jr. vs Puka Nacua: Who Should You Start?
Puka Nacua and Brian Thomas Jr. are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver averaged 19.4 PPG in 2025, a full 11.2 points per game ahead of Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.
That 11.2-point weekly advantage for Puka Nacua is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.
Target volume is the story here. Puka Nacua saw 166 targets in 2025, while Brian Thomas Jr. drew 91. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Puka Nacua, even in weeks where Brian Thomas Jr. posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.
Both share a Week 8 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking wide receivers this deep on your bench, plan your replacement wide receiver early.
