Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Rashee Rice

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Rashee Rice is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Rashee Rice outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 7.3 PPG in 2025 with 6 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Rashee Rice is the clear pick. Brian Thomas Jr. profiles as a matchup-dependent wide receiver who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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WRJacksonville Jaguars#47

Brian Thomas Jr.

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

707

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

WRKansas City Chiefs#5PPG LEADER

Rashee Rice

PPG

15.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

571

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Rashee Rice

Head to Head

8.2 PPG15.5 PPG

14 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Rashee Rice: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #5 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and Rashee Rice at 70%. That ranking gap means Rashee Rice carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Rashee Rice: Who Should You Start?

The numbers tell a clear story here. Rashee Rice put up 15.5 fantasy points per game for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025, while Brian Thomas Jr. managed 8.2 across 14 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A 7.3-point weekly edge is substantial at the wide receiver position.

That 7.3-point weekly advantage for Rashee Rice 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.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Brian Thomas Jr. turned 91 targets into 707 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Rashee Rice converted 78 looks into 571 yards and 5 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 8 while Rashee Rice is off Week 10. 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

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

Did You Know?

•Rashee Rice outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 124 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Brian Thomas Jr. played 14 games in 2025 compared to Rashee Rice's 8. That durability gap means Brian Thomas Jr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Rashee Rice scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 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▾

StatJr.Rice

PPG (Half-PPR)8.215.5

Games Played148

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)115124

Receptions4853

Rec/Game3.46.6

Receiving Yards707571

Rec Yds/Game50.571.4

Receiving TDs25

Targets9178

Target Share/Game6.59.8

Age2326

Experience1 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 8Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Rashee Rice at 15.5 PPG, 7.3 points per game above Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brian Thomas Jr. or Rashee Rice in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rashee Rice has the edge at 15.5 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 Rashee Rice average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 7.3 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Rashee Rice's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 8, and Rashee Rice (KC) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Rashee Rice a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Rashee Rice outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 7.3 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.