Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or Brian Thomas Jr.


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

Deebo Samuel Sr. News

Deebo Samuel Sr. Set for Multi-Purpose Workload in San Francisco

Thursday, August 20, 12:42 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. will "have a varied role at receiver, running back, and kick returner" in the upcoming season, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Samuel Sr. spent the first six years of his NFL career with the 49ers before being traded to the Washington Commanders ahead of the 2025 season. Across 81 career games with San Francisco, Samuel Sr. collected 1,143 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns to go along with nearly 4,800 receiving yards and 22 touchdown grabs. While the 30-year-old is no longer the same level of athlete he was earlier in his career, Samuel Sr.'s dual-threat ability provides an added element of value for fantasy managers. He's also expected to play a significant role in the 49ers' offense with San Francisco wideout Ricky Pearsall (knee) set to miss the entire season after undergoing knee surgery.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
10.3 1.0 0.0 3.4 51.1 0.3

Brian Thomas Jr. News

Brian Thomas Jr. Appears to be Fine

Tuesday, August 25, 8:12 AM

Updating a previous report, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said that he thinks wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) will be "alright" after he was shaken up following a catch during team periods at training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Jaguars reporter Mia O'Brien. It sounds like the Jaguars held Thomas out of the rest of team drills as a precaution to make sure that he will be good to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 13. The 23-year-old could miss some practice time moving forward and probably will not suit up for the team's preseason finale this Friday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he should be ready to roll for the start of the 2026 season in early September. BTJ and the other Jags receivers have been overshadowed this summer by Parker Washington, but Thomas has also stood out as he looks to bounce back following a disappointing sophomore season in which he caught 48 passes for 707 yards and only two touchdowns following a 1,000-yard season and 10 TDs as a rookie. Thomas could end up being an excellent value pick in fantasy drafts as a WR3/flex in 2026.


Deebo Samuel Sr. vs. Brian Thomas Jr.

Still trying to decide between Samuel Sr. and Thomas Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Deebo Samuel Sr. is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Brian Thomas Jr. is projected to score 10.3 points.