Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Luther Burden IIIWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Luther Burden III's 7.0 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. Luther Burden III at 7.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft DeVonta Smith higher, but do not fade Luther Burden III entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track DeVonta Smith and Luther Burden III in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34PPG LEADER

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

WRChicago Bears#60

Luther Burden III

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

652

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

DeVonta Smith

Luther Burden III

Head to Head

9.6 PPG7.0 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Luther Burden III: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #60 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Luther Burden III at 32%. That ranking gap means DeVonta Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Luther Burden III: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between DeVonta Smith and Luther Burden III for your lineup, you are not alone. DeVonta Smith finished the 2025 season at 9.6 PPG for the Philadelphia Eagles (17 games), and Luther Burden III averaged 7.0 for the Chicago Bears (15 games).

That 2.6-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.

Target volume is the story here. DeVonta Smith saw 113 targets in 2025, while Luther Burden III drew 60. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DeVonta Smith, even in weeks where Luther Burden III posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Both share a Week 10 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking wide receivers this deep on your bench, plan your replacement wide receiver early.

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. Luther Burden III (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•DeVonta Smith outscored Luther Burden III by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Luther Burden III's 15. 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.
•Luther Burden III is 5 years younger than DeVonta Smith (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DeVonta Smith vs Luther Burden III: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Luther Burden III
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	7.0
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	105
Receptions	77	47
Rec/Game	4.5	3.1
Receiving Yards	1,008	652
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	43.5
Receiving TDs	4	2
Targets	113	60
Target Share/Game	6.6	4.0
Age	27	22
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DeVonta Smith at 9.6 PPG, 2.6 points per game above Luther Burden III's 7.0. 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on DeVonta Smith vs Luther Burden III

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on DeVonta Smith vs Luther Burden III

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DeVonta Smith or Luther Burden III in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Luther Burden III's 7.0 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 Luther Burden III average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Luther Burden III averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

Do DeVonta Smith and Luther Burden III share a bye week?▾

Yes, both DeVonta Smith and Luther Burden III share a Week 10 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is DeVonta Smith or Luther Burden III a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith outscored Luther Burden III by 2.6 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.