DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Diontae JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Diontae Johnson's 9.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, DeVonta Smith and Diontae Johnson are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track DeVonta Smith and Diontae Johnson in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34PPG LEADER
DeVonta Smith
PPG
9.6
Games
17
Rec
77
Rec Yds
1,008
Rec TDs
4
Targets
113
Bye
Week 10
WRBaltimore Ravens#99
Diontae Johnson
PPG
9.3
Games
15
Rec
60
Rec Yds
712
Rec TDs
3
Targets
95
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
DeVonta Smith
Diontae Johnson

Head to Head

9.6 PPG9.3 PPG
17 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Diontae Johnson: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Diontae Johnson at 42%. That ranking gap means DeVonta Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Diontae Johnson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between DeVonta Smith and Diontae Johnson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 PPG with the Philadelphia Eagles across 17 games, and Diontae Johnson posted 9.3 with the Baltimore Ravens in 15.

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. DeVonta Smith turned 113 targets into 1008 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Diontae Johnson converted 95 looks into 712 yards and 3 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

DeVonta Smith has his bye in Week 10, and Diontae Johnson rests in Week 14. 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: DeVonta Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Diontae Johnson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • DeVonta Smith outscored Diontae Johnson by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Diontae Johnson's 15. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • DeVonta Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 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

DeVonta Smith vs Diontae Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDeVonta SmithDiontae Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)9.69.3
Games Played1715
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)163140
Receptions7760
Rec/Game4.54.0
Receiving Yards1,008712
Rec Yds/Game59.347.5
Receiving TDs43
Targets11395
Target Share/Game6.66.3
Age27-
Experience4 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DeVonta Smith at 9.6 PPG, 0.3 points per game above Diontae Johnson's 9.3. 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on DeVonta Smith vs Diontae Johnson

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 DeVonta Smith vs Diontae Johnson

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 DeVonta Smith or Diontae Johnson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Diontae Johnson's 9.3 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 DeVonta Smith and Diontae Johnson average in 2025?

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Diontae Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?

DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Diontae Johnson (BAL) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DeVonta Smith or Diontae Johnson a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

DeVonta Smith outscored Diontae Johnson by 0.3 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.

Fantasy Managers Also Compared

Similar matchups other managers are researching right now.