You're sitting at the middle or back half of the first round in your 2025 fantasy football draft. You want to start with an alpha WR1 for your team but are tasked with a tough decision.
You narrow it down to the two sophomores, both from LSU, and both coming off phenomenal rookie seasons. With each WR finishing top ten at the position a year ago, they're primed to do it again in 2025.
The decision is yours, but it is certainly not an easy one to make. It's important to keep in mind that when comparing two players of such high magnitude, we're merely splitting hairs to find a difference.
Here is the full breakdown between the two elite WRs: Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.
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Why you should draft Malik Nabers
FantasyPros ADP: WR4
Nabers finished as the WR7 last year with the combined QB play of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito. No matter who wins the starting job between Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, or Jameis Winston, it's a significant upgrade for Nabers.
In his rookie year, Nabers earned 170 targets, which was only second behind Ja'Marr Chase. The Giants added no one of significance who threatens this massive target share.
Nabers is the Giants' offense; they do not move without him. The run game is middle of the pack, and that's being generous.
While some people look at the strength of schedule as a bad thing, this will only help the game script for Nabers. No one is drafting Nabers because they think the Giants are going to win games. This is not to say SOS can't impact some players' production, but not of the caliber Nabers is. He's matchup proof, QB proof, all of the above proof.
As much as I can talk for hours about how good Nabers is, there are some concerns.
He has dealt with some injuries in the past and is currently dealing with a plethora of them. While he returned to practice on Aug. 19, he missed an extended period of time with back issues and a toe injury.
Malik Nabers on his toe injury:
“It’s like a mosquito that don’t wanna go away.” 😬
Not sure what to think about this. @Giants @UpAndAdamsShow
pic.twitter.com/J57fCTj32P
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) July 28, 2025
Then you get to the offense, it's not going to be great. They are returning 10 of their 11 starter from last season, where they finished 29 in EPA per drive. So yes, they are really banking on the fact that QB was the glaring issue.
FANTASY PLAYER RANKINGS: PPR WR | Non-PPR WR
Why you should draft Brian Thomas Jr.
(FantasyPros ADP: WR 8)
Even with QB Trevor Lawrence’s erratic play, Thomas was nothing short of excellent last season. He finished as the WR4 overall after going off the board as the WR49.
Nabers was selected as a top-24 WR in fantasy. This is not saying Nabers was expected to finish as a top ten WR, but more so crediting BTJ for giving managers a huge return.
Thomas had more TDs and yards with fewer targets and receptions than Nabers. Thomas even had success with Mac Jones as the starting QB, making him another one of those QB-proof WRs.
Thomas now comes in this season with a new head coach in Liam Coen, who is one of the more gifted offensive minds in the NFL. Pair that with Thomas, who is a sensational downfield threat, and there will be some big plays.
Brian Thomas Jr is an ELITE Separator.
Brian Thomas Jr ranked:
- 1st in AVG Slant Separation
- 3rd in AVG Post Separation
- 8th in AVG Go Separation
Data: Fantasy Points
pic.twitter.com/Hq4e1YlO3h
— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) August 14, 2025
BTJ faces a few concerns with some regression in usage and TDs.
Coen is someone who likes to get the RBs involved in the passing game. While Coen was the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024, his two running backs, Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, caught 98 passes for 785 yards.
Brenton Strange is sure to demand more targets this season, but the Jags also spent their second overall pick on a WR in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Travis Hunter was drafted as a DB as well, but people are pretending as if he wasn't drafted mainly as a WR prospect. Hunter is going to take a large portion of the available targets.
MORE: 2025 WR fantasy draft sleepers
Fantasy football tip: Draft Nabers or BTJ?
I'd take Malik Nabers every day of the week.
This is not to say BTJ is a bad selection; if you like him, then by all means select him.
However, Nabers is the Giants' entire offense; it flows through him. I can't say the same thing about BTJ.
The Giants did not add a single player to threaten Nabers' large target share from last season. The only thing they did was add better QBs for Nabers.
The Jags used the number two pick on a WR and have other good weapons such as Strange and Etienne, who will both demand a portion of targets.
I would truly not be shocked if Nabers finishes as the overall WR1 on the season; that’s how confident I am in him for 2025.
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