Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

A.J. Brown vs DeVonta SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

A.J. Brown is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

A.J. Brown is the better fantasy play this season.

A.J. Brown is the better play on a neutral week. 12.1 PPG with 1,003 yards gives a reliable baseline. DeVonta Smith at 9.6 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft A.J. Brown higher, but do not fade DeVonta Smith entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRPhiladelphia Eagles#12PPG LEADER

A.J. Brown

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,003

Rec TDs

Targets

121

Bye

Week 10

WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

A.J. Brown

DeVonta Smith

Head to Head

12.1 PPG9.6 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

A.J. Brown: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #12 at the position). DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, A.J. Brown is producing at 55% of elite pace and DeVonta Smith at 44%. That ranking gap means A.J. Brown carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

A.J. Brown vs DeVonta Smith: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith for your lineup, you are not alone. A.J. Brown finished the 2025 season at 12.1 PPG for the Philadelphia Eagles (15 games), and DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 for the Philadelphia Eagles (17 games).

That 2.5-point weekly advantage for A.J. Brown is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. A.J. Brown turned 121 targets into 1003 yards and 7 touchdowns, while DeVonta Smith converted 113 looks into 1008 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Both share a Week 10 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking wide receivers this deep on your bench, plan your replacement wide receiver early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: A.J. Brown (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. DeVonta Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•A.J. Brown outscored DeVonta Smith by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to A.J. Brown's 15. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•A.J. Brown scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•A.J. Brown saw 121 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Both players share a Week 10 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

A.J. Brown vs DeVonta Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	A.J. Brown	DeVonta Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	9.6
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	182	163
Receptions	78	77
Rec/Game	5.2	4.5
Receiving Yards	1,003	1,008
Rec Yds/Game	66.9	59.3
Receiving TDs	7	4
Targets	121	113
Target Share/Game	8.1	6.6
Age	28	27
Experience	6 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor A.J. Brown at 12.1 PPG, 2.5 points per game above DeVonta Smith's 9.6. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, A.J. Brown has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith average in 2025?▾

A.J. Brown averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

Do A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith share a bye week?▾

Yes, both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith share a Week 10 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

A.J. Brown outscored DeVonta Smith by 2.5 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.