Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brandon Aiyuk vs DeVonta SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Brandon Aiyuk is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.8 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Brandon Aiyuk is the better fantasy play this season.

Brandon Aiyuk is the better play on a neutral week. 11.8 PPG with 762 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 Brandon Aiyuk 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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WRSan Francisco 49ers#99PPG LEADER

Brandon Aiyuk

PPG

11.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

762

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Brandon Aiyuk

DeVonta Smith

Head to Head

11.8 PPG9.6 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Brandon Aiyuk: 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, Brandon Aiyuk is producing at 54% 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.

Brandon Aiyuk vs DeVonta Smith: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Brandon Aiyuk and DeVonta Smith for your lineup, you are not alone. Brandon Aiyuk finished the 2025 season at 11.8 PPG for the San Francisco 49ers (13 games), and DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 for the Philadelphia Eagles (17 games).

That 2.2-point weekly advantage for Brandon Aiyuk 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.

Target volume is the story here. DeVonta Smith saw 113 targets in 2025, while Brandon Aiyuk drew 82. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DeVonta Smith, even in weeks where Brandon Aiyuk posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Brandon Aiyuk is off Week 9 and DeVonta Smith Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Brandon Aiyuk (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?

•Brandon Aiyuk outscored DeVonta Smith by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Brandon Aiyuk's 13. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Brandon Aiyuk scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 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

Brandon Aiyuk vs DeVonta Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brandon Aiyuk	DeVonta Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.8	9.6
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	153	163
Receptions	58	77
Rec/Game	4.5	4.5
Receiving Yards	762	1,008
Rec Yds/Game	58.6	59.3
Receiving TDs	5	4
Targets	82	113
Target Share/Game	6.3	6.6
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Brandon Aiyuk at 11.8 PPG, 2.2 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 Brandon Aiyuk or DeVonta Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Brandon Aiyuk has the edge at 11.8 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 Brandon Aiyuk and DeVonta Smith average in 2025?▾

Brandon Aiyuk averaged 11.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Brandon Aiyuk and DeVonta Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brandon Aiyuk (SF) has a bye in Week 9, and DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brandon Aiyuk or DeVonta Smith a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Brandon Aiyuk outscored DeVonta Smith by 2.2 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.