Head to Head · Start / Sit

DeVonta Smith vs George Pickens

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

WRPhiladelphia Eagles

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 5

WRDallas CowboysPPG LEADER

George Pickens

PPG

14.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,429

Rec TDs

Targets

137

Bye

Week 7

Head to Head

9.6 PPG14.4 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 7

DeVonta Smith vs George Pickens: Who Should You Start?

DeVonta Smith and George Pickens are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 PPG across 17 games with the Philadelphia Eagles, while George Pickens posted 14.4 PPG in 17 appearances for the Dallas Cowboys.

A 4.8-PPG gap gives George Pickens the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. DeVonta Smith turned 113 targets into 1008 yards and 4 touchdowns, while George Pickens converted 137 looks into 1429 yards and 9 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 George Pickens is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

The Bottom Line

George Pickens outscored DeVonta Smith by 4.8 PPG in 2025 (14.4 to 9.6). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on DeVonta Smith vs George Pickens

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DeVonta Smith or George Pickens in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, George Pickens has the edge at 14.4 PPG compared to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 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 George Pickens average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. George Pickens averaged 14.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.8 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and George Pickens's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 5, and George Pickens (DAL) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DeVonta Smith or George Pickens a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

George Pickens outscored DeVonta Smith by 4.8 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.