Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Jayden HigginsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Jayden Higgins's 6.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

DeVonta Smith has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.2-PPG advantage is real (9.6 to 6.4), and DeVonta Smith's 4 touchdowns show scoring upside. Jayden Higgins is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34PPG LEADER

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

WRHouston Texans#99

Jayden Higgins

PPG

6.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

525

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

DeVonta Smith

Jayden Higgins

Head to Head

9.6 PPG6.4 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Jayden Higgins: 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 Jayden Higgins at 29%. That ranking gap means DeVonta Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Jayden Higgins: The Full Breakdown

DeVonta Smith and Jayden Higgins 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 Jayden Higgins posted 6.4 PPG in 17 appearances for the Houston Texans.

A 3.2-PPG gap gives DeVonta Smith 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.

Target volume is the story here. DeVonta Smith saw 113 targets in 2025, while Jayden Higgins drew 68. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DeVonta Smith, even in weeks where Jayden Higgins posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: DeVonta Smith is off Week 10 and Jayden Higgins Week 14. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire DeVonta Smith at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Jayden Higgins is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: DeVonta Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Jayden Higgins (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•DeVonta Smith outscored Jayden Higgins by a projected 54 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jayden Higgins 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.
•Jayden Higgins is 4 years younger than DeVonta Smith (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DeVonta Smith vs Jayden Higgins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Jayden Higgins
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	6.4
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	109
Receptions	77	41
Rec/Game	4.5	2.4
Receiving Yards	1,008	525
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	30.9
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	113	68
Target Share/Game	6.6	4.0
Age	27	23
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 14

Summary

DeVonta Smith outscored Jayden Higgins by 3.2 PPG in 2025 (9.6 to 6.4). 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DeVonta Smith or Jayden Higgins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Jayden Higgins's 6.4 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 Jayden Higgins average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jayden Higgins averaged 6.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.2 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Jayden Higgins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is DeVonta Smith or Jayden Higgins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith outscored Jayden Higgins by 3.2 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.