DeVonta Smith vs Malik Nabers: Who Should You Start?
Deciding between DeVonta Smith and Malik Nabers is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver put up 9.6 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Malik Nabers of the New York Giants averaged 12.0 in 4. A 2.4-point margin that could shift on any given week.
The per-game difference of 2.4 points favors Malik Nabers, 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 Malik Nabers drew 35. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DeVonta Smith, even in weeks where Malik Nabers 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 5 while Malik Nabers is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
