Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Washington vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Darnell Washington's 4.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonnu Smith is the better play on a neutral week. 8.2 PPG with 562 yards gives a reliable baseline. Darnell Washington at 4.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jonnu Smith higher, but do not fade Darnell Washington entirely.

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

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TEPittsburgh Steelers#38

Darnell Washington

PPG

4.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEMiami Dolphins#99PPG LEADER

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Darnell Washington

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

4.5 PPG8.2 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Jonnu Smith at 37%. That ranking gap means Darnell Washington carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darnell Washington vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith for your lineup, you are not alone. Darnell Washington finished the 2025 season at 4.5 PPG for the Pittsburgh Steelers (13 games), and Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 for the Miami Dolphins (15 games).

That 3.7-point weekly advantage for Jonnu Smith 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.

Jonnu Smith is the volume tight end in this matchup with 52 receptions for 562 yards, while Darnell Washington profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 31 catches). In weeks where Darnell Washington finds the end zone he out-scores Jonnu Smith, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Darnell Washington sits Week 9 while Jonnu Smith is off Week 6. 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

Jonnu Smith is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Darnell Washington is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Darnell Washington (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jonnu Smith outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 63 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonnu Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Washington's 13. That durability gap means Jonnu Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonnu Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jonnu Smith saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darnell Washington vs Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Washington	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.5	8.2
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	123
Receptions	31	52
Rec/Game	2.4	3.5
Receiving Yards	364	562
Rec Yds/Game	28.0	37.5
Receiving TDs	1	4
Targets	43	68
Target Share/Game	3.3	4.5
Age	24	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonnu Smith at 8.2 PPG, 3.7 points per game above Darnell Washington's 4.5. 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 Darnell Washington or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonnu Smith has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to Darnell Washington's 4.5 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 Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.7 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Washington or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith outscored Darnell Washington by 3.7 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.