DeVonta Smith vs DK Metcalf: Who Should You Start?
DeVonta Smith (9.6 PPG) and DK Metcalf (10.5 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. DeVonta Smith played 17 games for the Philadelphia Eagles; DK Metcalf suited up 15 times for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A 0.9-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. DeVonta Smith turned 113 targets into 1008 yards and 4 touchdowns, while DK Metcalf converted 99 looks into 850 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: DeVonta Smith sits Week 5 while DK Metcalf is off Week 9. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
