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DeVonta Smith vs Keenan AllenWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Keenan Allen's 8.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. DeVonta Smith edges Keenan Allen by 1.2 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, DeVonta Smith 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#34PPG LEADER
DeVonta Smith
PPG
9.6
Games
17
Rec
77
Rec Yds
1,008
Rec TDs
4
Targets
113
Bye
Week 10
WRLos Angeles Chargers#45
Keenan Allen
PPG
8.4
Games
17
Rec
81
Rec Yds
777
Rec TDs
4
Targets
122
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
DeVonta Smith
Keenan Allen

Head to Head

9.6 PPG8.4 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Keenan Allen: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #45 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Keenan Allen at 38%. That ranking gap means DeVonta Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Keenan Allen: The Full Breakdown

DeVonta Smith (9.6 PPG) and Keenan Allen (8.4 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; Keenan Allen suited up 17 times for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 1.2-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.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. DeVonta Smith turned 113 targets into 1008 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Keenan Allen converted 122 looks into 777 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: DeVonta Smith sits Week 10 while Keenan Allen is off Week 7. 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. Keenan Allen (age 34) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

  • DeVonta Smith outscored Keenan Allen by a projected 20 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.
  • Keenan Allen saw 122 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
  • DeVonta Smith is 7 years younger than Keenan Allen (27 vs 34), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DeVonta Smith vs Keenan Allen: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDeVonta SmithKeenan Allen
PPG (Half-PPR)9.68.4
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)163143
Receptions7781
Rec/Game4.54.8
Receiving Yards1,008777
Rec Yds/Game59.345.7
Receiving TDs44
Targets113122
Target Share/Game6.67.2
Age2734
Experience4 yrs12 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, DeVonta Smith holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.6 points per game. Keenan Allen averaged 8.4 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DeVonta Smith or Keenan Allen in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Keenan Allen's 8.4 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 Keenan Allen average in 2025?

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Keenan Allen averaged 8.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Keenan Allen's bye weeks in 2026?

DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Keenan Allen (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DeVonta Smith or Keenan Allen a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

DeVonta Smith outscored Keenan Allen by 1.2 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.

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