Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

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

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.8 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Cooper Kupp edges DeVonta Smith by 1.2 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, Cooper Kupp 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Cooper Kupp and DeVonta Smith in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRLos Angeles Rams#99PPG LEADER

Cooper Kupp

PPG

10.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

748

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Cooper Kupp

DeVonta Smith

Head to Head

10.8 PPG9.6 PPG

12 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Kupp: 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, Cooper Kupp is producing at 49% 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.

Cooper Kupp vs DeVonta Smith: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Cooper Kupp and DeVonta Smith is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 PPG with the Los Angeles Rams across 12 games, and DeVonta Smith posted 9.6 with the Philadelphia Eagles in 17.

When two wide receivers are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Cooper Kupp turned 92 targets into 748 yards and 5 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.

Cooper Kupp has his bye in Week 6, and DeVonta Smith rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Cooper Kupp (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?

•Cooper Kupp outscored DeVonta Smith by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Kupp's 12. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Cooper Kupp 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

Cooper Kupp vs DeVonta Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Kupp	DeVonta Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.8	9.6
Games Played	12	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	130	163
Receptions	62	77
Rec/Game	5.2	4.5
Receiving Yards	748	1,008
Rec Yds/Game	62.3	59.3
Receiving TDs	5	4
Targets	92	113
Target Share/Game	7.7	6.6
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 10

Summary

Cooper Kupp outscored DeVonta Smith by 1.2 PPG in 2025 (10.8 to 9.6). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Cooper Kupp 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 Cooper Kupp 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 Cooper Kupp or DeVonta Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Cooper Kupp has the edge at 10.8 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 Cooper Kupp and DeVonta Smith average in 2025?▾

Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

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

Cooper Kupp (LAR) has a bye in Week 6, and DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Cooper Kupp outscored DeVonta Smith by 1.2 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.