Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Amari Cooper vs DeVonta SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.2 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy play this season.

Amari Cooper has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.6-PPG advantage is real (11.2 to 9.6), and Amari Cooper's 4 touchdowns show scoring upside. DeVonta Smith is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRBuffalo Bills#99PPG LEADER

Amari Cooper

PPG

11.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

782

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Amari Cooper

DeVonta Smith

Head to Head

11.2 PPG9.6 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Amari Cooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Amari Cooper is producing at 51% of elite pace and DeVonta Smith at 44%. That ranking gap means DeVonta Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Amari Cooper vs DeVonta Smith: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Amari Cooper (Buffalo Bills) finished the 2025 season averaging 11.2 fantasy points per game in 16 games. DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles) came in at 9.6 PPG over 17 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Amari Cooper carries a 1.6-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Amari Cooper turned 95 targets into 782 yards and 4 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Amari Cooper sits Week 12 while DeVonta Smith is off Week 10. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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: Amari Cooper (age 27) 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?

•Amari Cooper outscored DeVonta Smith by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Amari Cooper's 16. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Amari Cooper scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•DeVonta Smith saw 113 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Amari Cooper vs DeVonta Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Amari Cooper	DeVonta Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.2	9.6
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	179	163
Receptions	65	77
Rec/Game	4.1	4.5
Receiving Yards	782	1,008
Rec Yds/Game	48.9	59.3
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	95	113
Target Share/Game	5.9	6.6
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Amari Cooper holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.2 points per game. DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Amari Cooper or DeVonta Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Amari Cooper has the edge at 11.2 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 Amari Cooper and DeVonta Smith average in 2025?▾

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Amari Cooper and DeVonta Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper (BUF) has a bye in Week 12, and DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Amari Cooper or DeVonta Smith a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper outscored DeVonta Smith by 1.6 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.