DeVonta Smith vs Emeka Egbuka: Who Should You Start?
The gap between DeVonta Smith and Emeka Egbuka is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 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 Emeka Egbuka posted 9.7 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 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. DeVonta Smith turned 113 targets into 1008 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Emeka Egbuka converted 127 looks into 938 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.
DeVonta Smith has his bye in Week 5, and Emeka Egbuka rests in Week 11. 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.
