Who Should I Start? Brian Thomas Jr. or Rome Odunze

Monday, February 23, 8:41 AM

After a Pro Bowl season as a rookie in 2024, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was a big disappointment in his sophomore season, catching 48 of 91 targets for 707 yards and two touchdowns in 14 regular-season games. Thomas had an impressive 87-1,282-10 line on 133 targets in 17 games as a rookie. ESPN's Michael DiRocco writes that Thomas' stats "may not reach what they were in 2024," but he should still be a key piece of head coach Liam Coen's offense in 2026. Beginning in Week 13 after he missed three games with an ankle injury, the Jags used Thomas more on the outside, and he was more productive the rest of the way. Travis Hunter will spend more time on defense next season, but the addition of Jakobi Meyers and the emergence of Parker Washington will ultimately cap Thomas' fantasy ceiling going into Year 3. The former first-rounder could improve on his 2025 numbers, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect a repeat of his rookie season.

Sunday, February 22, 10:11 AM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze got off to a scorching start to the 2025 season, recording 20 catches for 296 yards and five touchdowns on 35 targets across his first four games of the year. However, the 23-year-old's production slowed down over the course of the season. Over his next eight games played, Odunze hauled in 24 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown on 55 targets. Odunze also suffered a foot injury that caused him to miss Chicago's final five games of the regular season. The 23-year-old was able to return for the playoffs, so he should be good to go for 2026 from a health perspective. However, Odunze has not yet shown the elite fantasy production upside some projected when Chicago selected him ninth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Odunze also has significant target competition around him with the Bears in the form of wide receivers DJ Moore and Luther Burden III, as well as tight end Colston Loveland. Odunze still has time to break out as a star, but his dynasty outlook took a slight hit in 2025.