Brian Thomas
vs Tucker Kraft

“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.”

“Kraft is still only 10 months removed from ACL surgery after tearing it in mid-November 2025. Even with that, he has seen a 63% route share over the past two weeks. While that is just outside the top 10 tight ends in usage, I expect his role to continue growing as the year goes on.”

“With Christian Watson and Matthew Golden dominating targets from Jordan Love – the pair have accounted for 50% of team targets at all positions – it is hardly surprising that Kraft has been left to pick up scraps as the clear third option in this Green Bay passing game. Sure, he may still be recovering from that torn ACL…but all reports heading into the season were that he was 100% good-to-go; so I am not buying it. Contrast this with Kelce and his almost sickening chemistry with Mahomes, and it looks as if Zeus could once again be near the summit of the TE mountain come the fantasy playoffs.”

“TE Tucker Kraft vs ATL If you have Kraft, make sure he is in your lineup tonight against Atlanta. The ramp-up happened quickly off the ACL injury, with Kraft’s snap involvement going from 66% in week one to 98% last week. The Packers’ offense struggled to get much of anything going last week, but the consensus seems to be that Kraft’s usage (or lack thereof) might have been the problem.”

“Given his current cost, Tucker Kraft is my favorite tight end to target this season, compared to the options ahead of him.”

“Christian Watson and Jayden Reed were given extensions, Tucker Kraft is back healthy, and first-round receiver Matthew Golden is entering his sophomore season.”