Brian Thomas
vs Jaylen Warren

“Brian Thomas Jr. (WR – JAC) Brian Thomas had a majorly disappointing, injury-affected sophomore campaign, finishing as fantasy football WR43 overall and WR47 in PPG across 14 games. He averaged 8.2 half-PPR PPG on an 18% target share with 50.5 receiving yards/game, 3 total TDs, and just 7 red-zone targets.”

“Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated names Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. as one player to watch in training camp as a "swing factor" after a productive rookie season in 2024 before struggling last season. According to Breer, Jacksonville never considered "selling low" on Thomas after his sophomore slump, and Thomas has had a "constant presence" at the team's facility this offseason and is spending as much time as possible with QB Trevor Lawrence.”

“It's hard to trust Brian Thomas Jr. as a WR2 in PPR leagues. In situations where Meyers was on the field for the Jaguars last season, Thomas's target share was third on the team at under 17%, and he only caught 18 out of 30 targets for 287 yards and scored once.”

“As a rookie, Thomas had 1,292 yards, 87 receptions and 10 touchdowns. This led to a WR4 finish on the season and a second-round pick in redraft leagues the following season. Thomas then repaid ambitious fantasy managers with a WR44 performance in points per game in 2025.”

“Thomas, 23, posted 1,282 receiving yards as a rookie but saw his production drop significantly the following season. That was partially due to a few injuries that sidelined him for three games and lingered into the offseason.”

“Jakobi Meyers feels Thomas's football IQ is something that gets overlooked in his game, and believes the longer he's around the game and in his offense, the more he's going to continue to get better and better.”

“Jaylen Warren Has a Ceiling Warren entered Sunday with 150 scrimmage yards through two games, then delivered 176 against CIN. His 49 receiving yards remind us he has multiple ways to produce when PIT cooperates. Even ole’ A A Ron looked like a HOF QB.”

“Jaylen Warren, who was limited in practice, is listed as questionable but is expected to play. With Dowdle out, Warren is set to be a bell cow in the Steelers offense. He has only seen a 56.4% opportunity share thus far, which likely climbs toward the 75% threshold with Dowdle out.”

“Warren’s matchup this week is against an improved Cincy run defense that, at best, is a neutral matchup, but I’m more worried about the matchup. Warren will need volume to overcome it, and he’ll likely get the touch count to do so. Cincy has allowed the 13th-lowest explosive run rate while having the second-highest rate of contacting backs at or behind the line of scrimmage.”

“The Pittsburgh offense has been dysfunctional this season, but Warren could be a frequent checkdown option for immobile 42-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers . Warren would also get the vast majority of Pittsburgh’s rushing attempts, and he’s been an efficient, underrated runner throughout his career. Quinshon Judkins has had 12 carries in each of his first two games and hasn’t had a run of 10 or more yards.”

““ Jaylen Warren has potential to be a full-on bust this upcoming Sunday. The Steelers offense looks horrendous, and the Bengals look like the real deal with a much improved defensive front line with the addition of Dexter Lawrence this offseason.”

“Meanwhile, Warren was far more efficient with his limited time on the field, leading the backfield in carries (10 to 8), rushing yards (46 to 15), and total opportunities (16 to 13). However, the broader concern here is the environment. Pittsburgh looks poised to remain a low-scoring offense.”

“I don’t know if Jaylen Warren is the handcuff in Pittsburgh, but he is a better fit for the offense than Rico Dowdle . He earned more touches, and until the Steelers get their offensive line issues straightened out, they won’t be able to run inside. Warren gives Pittsburgh more in the passing game, and his outside runs are where the Steelers need to attack at the moment.”

“Warren played 36.8% of the snaps, got 55.2% of the backfield opportunities, and had a 15% target share, scoring 10.3 PPR points with a lost fumble.”

“Warren already has three seasons under his belt with 300+ receiving yards, a threshold Dowdle has never touched. The Verdict: In Full PPR, fire up Jaylen Warren for the pass-catching floor. In Half-PPR / Standard fantasy leagues, I lean Rico Dowdle for the early-down volume and TD potential.”

“Jaylen Warren is my pick to be a league-winning running back in 2026. He finished as the RB18 in fantasy points per game last season while ranking sixth in missed-tackle rate, ninth in yards after contact per attempt, and third among running backs in yards per route run.”