Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Chris Olave vs DeVonta SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Chris Olave is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.6 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Chris Olave is the better fantasy play this season.

Chris Olave has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.0-PPG advantage is real (13.6 to 9.6), and Chris Olave's 9 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.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Chris Olave and DeVonta Smith in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRNew Orleans Saints#9PPG LEADER

Chris Olave

PPG

13.6

Games

Rec

100

Rec Yds

1,163

Rec TDs

Targets

156

Bye

Week 8

WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Chris Olave

DeVonta Smith

Head to Head

13.6 PPG9.6 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Chris Olave: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #9 at the position). DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Chris Olave is producing at 62% of elite pace and DeVonta Smith at 44%. That ranking gap means Chris Olave carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chris Olave vs DeVonta Smith: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints) finished the 2025 season averaging 13.6 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.

Chris Olave carries a 4.0-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.

Target volume is the story here. Chris Olave saw 156 targets in 2025, while DeVonta Smith drew 113. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Chris Olave, even in weeks where DeVonta Smith posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Chris Olave sits Week 8 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

If you can acquire Chris Olave at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. DeVonta Smith is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Chris Olave (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. DeVonta Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Chris Olave outscored DeVonta Smith by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Chris Olave's 16. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Chris Olave scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Chris Olave saw 156 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chris Olave vs DeVonta Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chris Olave	DeVonta Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.6	9.6
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	218	163
Receptions	100	77
Rec/Game	6.3	4.5
Receiving Yards	1,163	1,008
Rec Yds/Game	72.7	59.3
Receiving TDs	9	4
Targets	156	113
Target Share/Game	9.8	6.6
Age	25	27
Experience	3 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Chris Olave holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 13.6 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Chris Olave vs DeVonta Smith

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Chris Olave vs DeVonta Smith

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Chris Olave or DeVonta Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Chris Olave has the edge at 13.6 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 Chris Olave and DeVonta Smith average in 2025?▾

Chris Olave averaged 13.6 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 4.0 points per game.

When are Chris Olave and DeVonta Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Chris Olave (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Chris Olave or DeVonta Smith a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Chris Olave outscored DeVonta Smith by 4.0 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.