Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Justin JeffersonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Justin Jefferson's 9.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, DeVonta Smith and Justin Jefferson are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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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

WRMinnesota Vikings#37

Justin Jefferson

PPG

9.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,048

Rec TDs

Targets

141

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

DeVonta Smith

Justin Jefferson

Head to Head

9.6 PPG9.4 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Justin Jefferson: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Justin Jefferson at 43%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

DeVonta Smith vs Justin Jefferson: The Full Breakdown

DeVonta Smith (9.6 PPG) and Justin Jefferson (9.4 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. DeVonta Smith played 17 games for the Philadelphia Eagles; Justin Jefferson suited up 17 times for the Minnesota Vikings.

A 0.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Target volume is the story here. Justin Jefferson saw 141 targets in 2025, while DeVonta Smith drew 113. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Justin Jefferson, even in weeks where DeVonta Smith 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 Justin Jefferson is off Week 6. 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. Justin Jefferson (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•DeVonta Smith outscored Justin Jefferson by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Justin Jefferson saw 141 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 Justin Jefferson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Justin Jefferson
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	9.4
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	160
Receptions	77	84
Rec/Game	4.5	4.9
Receiving Yards	1,008	1,048
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	61.6
Receiving TDs	4	2
Targets	113	141
Target Share/Game	6.6	8.3
Age	27	26
Experience	4 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

9.6 PPG for DeVonta Smith versus 9.4 for Justin Jefferson 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 Justin Jefferson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Justin Jefferson's 9.4 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 Justin Jefferson average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Justin Jefferson averaged 9.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Justin Jefferson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is DeVonta Smith or Justin Jefferson a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith outscored Justin Jefferson by 0.2 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.