Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Josh DownsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

DeVonta Smith is the better play on a neutral week. 9.6 PPG with 1,008 yards gives a reliable baseline. Josh Downs at 6.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft DeVonta Smith higher, but do not fade Josh Downs entirely.

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

WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

DeVonta Smith

Josh Downs

Head to Head

9.6 PPG6.7 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Josh Downs: 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 Josh Downs at 30%. That ranking gap means DeVonta Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Josh Downs: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between DeVonta Smith and Josh Downs for your lineup, you are not alone. DeVonta Smith finished the 2025 season at 9.6 PPG for the Philadelphia Eagles (17 games), and Josh Downs averaged 6.7 for the Indianapolis Colts (16 games).

That 2.9-point weekly advantage for DeVonta Smith is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. DeVonta Smith turned 113 targets into 1008 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Josh Downs converted 88 looks into 566 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

DeVonta Smith has his bye in Week 10, and Josh Downs rests in Week 14. 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.

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. Josh Downs (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•DeVonta Smith outscored Josh Downs by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Josh Downs's 16. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•DeVonta Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 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 Josh Downs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Josh Downs
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	6.7
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	107
Receptions	77	58
Rec/Game	4.5	3.6
Receiving Yards	1,008	566
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	35.4
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	113	88
Target Share/Game	6.6	5.5
Age	27	24
Experience	4 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DeVonta Smith at 9.6 PPG, 2.9 points per game above Josh Downs's 6.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DeVonta Smith or Josh Downs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Josh Downs's 6.7 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 Josh Downs average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Josh Downs averaged 6.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Josh Downs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is DeVonta Smith or Josh Downs a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith outscored Josh Downs by 2.9 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.