Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Jaylen WaddleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jaylen Waddle edges DeVonta Smith by 0.5 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Jaylen Waddle goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

WRMiami Dolphins#29PPG LEADER

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

DeVonta Smith

Jaylen Waddle

Head to Head

9.6 PPG10.1 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Jaylen Waddle at 46%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Waddle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Jaylen Waddle: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. DeVonta Smith finished the 2025 season at 9.6 PPG over 17 games with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Jaylen Waddle clocked in at 10.1 across 16 appearances for the Miami Dolphins. A 0.5-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. DeVonta Smith turned 113 targets into 1008 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Jaylen Waddle converted 100 looks into 910 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: DeVonta Smith is off Week 10 and Jaylen Waddle Week 6. 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

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. Jaylen Waddle (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Waddle outscored DeVonta Smith by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaylen Waddle's 16. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaylen Waddle 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DeVonta Smith vs Jaylen Waddle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Jaylen Waddle
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	10.1
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	162
Receptions	77	64
Rec/Game	4.5	4.0
Receiving Yards	1,008	910
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	56.9
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	113	100
Target Share/Game	6.6	6.3
Age	27	27
Experience	4 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

Jaylen Waddle outscored DeVonta Smith by 0.5 PPG in 2025 (10.1 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 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 Jaylen Waddle average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle outscored DeVonta Smith by 0.5 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.