Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Joshua PalmerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 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. Joshua Palmer at 6.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft DeVonta Smith higher, but do not fade Joshua Palmer 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

WRLos Angeles Chargers#99

Joshua Palmer

PPG

6.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

498

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

DeVonta Smith

Joshua Palmer

Head to Head

9.6 PPG6.8 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Joshua Palmer: 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 Joshua Palmer at 31%. That ranking gap means DeVonta Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Joshua Palmer: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between DeVonta Smith and Joshua Palmer is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver put up 9.6 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Joshua Palmer of the Los Angeles Chargers averaged 6.8 in 14. A 2.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.8 points favors DeVonta Smith, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.

Target volume is the story here. DeVonta Smith saw 113 targets in 2025, while Joshua Palmer drew 65. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DeVonta Smith, even in weeks where Joshua Palmer posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: DeVonta Smith sits Week 10 while Joshua Palmer is off Week 5. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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

Did You Know?

•DeVonta Smith outscored Joshua Palmer by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Joshua Palmer's 14. 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 Joshua Palmer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Joshua Palmer
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	6.8
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	95
Receptions	77	42
Rec/Game	4.5	3.0
Receiving Yards	1,008	498
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	35.6
Receiving TDs	4	2
Targets	113	65
Target Share/Game	6.6	4.6
Age	27	-
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 5

Summary

9.6 PPG for DeVonta Smith versus 6.8 for Joshua Palmer in 2025. The baseline favors DeVonta Smith, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DeVonta Smith or Joshua Palmer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 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 Joshua Palmer average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Joshua Palmer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DeVonta Smith or Joshua Palmer a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith outscored Joshua Palmer by 2.8 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.