Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Khalil ShakirWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Khalil Shakir's 8.1 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. Khalil Shakir at 8.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft DeVonta Smith higher, but do not fade Khalil Shakir entirely.

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

WRBuffalo Bills#48

Khalil Shakir

PPG

8.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

719

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

DeVonta Smith

Khalil Shakir

Head to Head

9.6 PPG8.1 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Khalil Shakir: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #48 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Khalil Shakir at 37%. That ranking gap means DeVonta Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Khalil Shakir: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between DeVonta Smith and Khalil Shakir for your lineup, you are not alone. DeVonta Smith finished the 2025 season at 9.6 PPG for the Philadelphia Eagles (17 games), and Khalil Shakir averaged 8.1 for the Buffalo Bills (16 games).

That 1.5-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 Khalil Shakir converted 95 looks into 719 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 Khalil Shakir 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. Khalil Shakir (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•DeVonta Smith outscored Khalil Shakir by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Shakir'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 Khalil Shakir: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Khalil Shakir
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	8.1
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	130
Receptions	77	72
Rec/Game	4.5	4.5
Receiving Yards	1,008	719
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	44.9
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	113	95
Target Share/Game	6.6	5.9
Age	27	26
Experience	4 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DeVonta Smith at 9.6 PPG, 1.5 points per game above Khalil Shakir's 8.1. 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 Khalil Shakir in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Khalil Shakir's 8.1 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 Khalil Shakir average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Khalil Shakir averaged 8.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Khalil Shakir's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is DeVonta Smith or Khalil Shakir a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith outscored Khalil Shakir by 1.5 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.