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. Makes Immediate Impact in First Practice Back

Saturday, August 1, 10:45 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. took part in team drills during his first practice back with the team and turned one catch into a big gain, according to David Lombardi. Lombardi said he had not expected Samuel to jump into team work so quickly and added that the veteran looked great. Samuel returned to San Francisco after one season in Washington, where he caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns while adding 75 yards and another score on 17 carries. The reunion comes after Ricky Pearsall was ruled out for the season because of a PCL injury, leaving the 49ers in need of immediate help at receiver. One practice does not establish Samuel's role, but stepping directly into team drills and creating after the catch is an encouraging start. His fantasy value will depend on how much of his old role returns, but the first practice could hardly have gone better.


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. "Chasing" the Others in Receivers Room

Saturday, August 1, 9:18 AM

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a stacked wide receiver room going into the 2026 season, with Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington seemingly at the top, with former first-rounder Brian Thomas Jr. and former Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter "chasing" them, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. "Park [WR Parker Washington] and Kob [WR Jakobi Meyers], they're going to always do their thing. They're going to always be there. They're the first people in the building. B.T. and I are chasing that. We want to be the first person in the building," Hunter said. Thomas, 23, had an eye-opening 87-1,282-10 line in 17 games as a rookie in 2024, but he regressed with 48 catches, 707 yards, and only two touchdowns in 14 regular-season games last year, and now he could be the WR3 for the Jags going into his third season. However, Thomas has had a strong offseason while gaining chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and he figures to remain a key piece of the team's passing game in 2026. There's a clear buying opportunity here in dynasty/keeper leagues, and Thomas could be a nice value pick in redraft leagues as a WR3/flex with upside as he looks to bounce back in Year 3.


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.