Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs DeVonta SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, DeVonta Smith and Deebo Samuel Sr. are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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WRWashington Commanders#36

Deebo Samuel Sr.

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

727

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34PPG LEADER

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Deebo Samuel Sr.

DeVonta Smith

Head to Head

9.5 PPG9.6 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Deebo Samuel Sr. is producing at 43% of elite pace and DeVonta Smith at 44%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs DeVonta Smith: The Full Breakdown

Deebo Samuel Sr. (9.5 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. Deebo Samuel Sr. played 16 games for the Washington Commanders; DeVonta Smith suited up 17 times for the Philadelphia Eagles.

A 0.1-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. Deebo Samuel Sr. turned 99 targets into 727 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Deebo Samuel Sr. sits Week 7 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: Deebo Samuel Sr. (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. DeVonta Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•DeVonta Smith outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 16. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. scored 6 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

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs DeVonta Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deebo Samuel Sr.	DeVonta Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.5	9.6
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	152	163
Receptions	72	77
Rec/Game	4.5	4.5
Receiving Yards	727	1,008
Rec Yds/Game	45.4	59.3
Receiving TDs	5	4
Targets	99	113
Target Share/Game	6.2	6.6
Age	30	27
Experience	6 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DeVonta Smith at 9.6 PPG, 0.1 points per game above Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5. 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 Deebo Samuel Sr. or DeVonta Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 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 Deebo Samuel Sr. and DeVonta Smith average in 2025?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 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 0.1 points per game.

When are Deebo Samuel Sr. and DeVonta Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deebo Samuel Sr. or DeVonta Smith a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by 0.1 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.