Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Calvin Ridley vs DeVonta SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Calvin Ridley is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.0 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Calvin Ridley is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Calvin Ridley edges DeVonta Smith by 0.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Calvin Ridley goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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WRTennessee Titans#99PPG LEADER

Calvin Ridley

PPG

10.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

785

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Calvin Ridley

DeVonta Smith

Head to Head

10.0 PPG9.6 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Calvin Ridley: 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, Calvin Ridley is producing at 45% 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.

Calvin Ridley vs DeVonta Smith: The Full Breakdown

Calvin Ridley (10.0 PPG) and DeVonta Smith (9.6 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Calvin Ridley played 16 games for the Tennessee Titans; DeVonta Smith suited up 17 times for the Philadelphia Eagles.

A 0.4-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Calvin Ridley turned 95 targets into 785 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: Calvin Ridley sits Week 5 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: Calvin Ridley (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?

•Calvin Ridley outscored DeVonta Smith by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Calvin Ridley's 16. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Calvin Ridley 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

Calvin Ridley vs DeVonta Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Calvin Ridley	DeVonta Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.0	9.6
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	160	163
Receptions	58	77
Rec/Game	3.6	4.5
Receiving Yards	785	1,008
Rec Yds/Game	49.1	59.3
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	95	113
Target Share/Game	5.9	6.6
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Calvin Ridley holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.0 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 Calvin Ridley or DeVonta Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Calvin Ridley has the edge at 10.0 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 Calvin Ridley and DeVonta Smith average in 2025?▾

Calvin Ridley averaged 10.0 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 0.4 points per game.

When are Calvin Ridley and DeVonta Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Calvin Ridley (TEN) has a bye in Week 5, and DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Calvin Ridley or DeVonta Smith a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Calvin Ridley outscored DeVonta Smith by 0.4 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.