Who Should I Start? Brian Thomas Jr. or Matthew Golden


Week 1 Projections

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0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Brian Thomas Jr. News

Brian Thomas Jr. Says it "Doesn't Hurt to Run"

Monday, June 8, 4:25 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. said one of the focuses of his offseason was making sure he rehabbed and got his body back in the right place for the 2026 season after dealing with multiple injuries last year, according to Action Sports Jax. "It doesn't hurt to run," Thomas said. The ankle, shoulder, and wrist injuries that Thomas dealt with last year could help explain why he was so disappointing in his sophomore season after an incredible rookie campaign that saw him catch 87 of his 133 targets for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games played. The 23rd overall pick in 2024 out of LSU caught just 48 passes for 707 yards and two touchdowns in 2025 in 14 regular-season starts. The 23-year-old appears to be fully healthy going into Year 3, and improved chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence could go a long way towards him bouncing back in 2026, even with Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington set for key roles in the Jags' passing attack. Reaching his rookie-year heights isn't realistic, but at a discount this fall, fantasy managers should be willing to pull the trigger and roll the dice that Thomas can improve on his disappointing Year 2 numbers.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Matthew Golden News

Matthew Golden Starting in Two-Receiver Sets

Thursday, June 11, 4:32 PM

On the first day of mandatory minicamp on Thursday, Green Bay Packers second-year wide receiver Matthew Golden lined up across from Christian Watson in a two-receiver set, according to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. Golden came into the NFL last year with high expectations after the Packers selected him 23rd overall out of the University of Texas. The 22-year-old was then hyped up plenty during training camp and the preseason, only to disappoint in his rookie campaign in a crowded receiving corps in Green Bay. He caught 29 passes for 361 yards and zero touchdowns in 14 regular-season games (five starts). Golden is trending back up again this spring, and he'll have a much bigger opportunity to carve out a consistent role in the passing attack now that Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are out of town. Watson is the team's clear WR1 with big-play ability, and the Packers also still have the versatile Jayden Reed, but both wideouts have dealt with their fair share of injuries early in their careers. Even if both Watson and Reed stay on the field, Golden will be a popular Year 2 breakout candidate. He can be had at a discount, too, with RotoBaller ranking him as the No. 51 fantasy WR for the 2026 season.


Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Matthew Golden

Still trying to decide between Thomas Jr. and Golden? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Brian Thomas Jr. is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Matthew Golden is projected to score 0.0 points.