DeVonta Smith vs Marquise Brown: Who Should You Start?
If you are choosing between DeVonta Smith and Marquise Brown for your lineup, you are not alone. DeVonta Smith finished the 2025 season at 9.6 PPG for the Philadelphia Eagles (17 games), and Marquise Brown averaged 7.1 for the Philadelphia Eagles (16 games).
That 2.5-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.
Target volume is the story here. DeVonta Smith saw 113 targets in 2025, while Marquise Brown drew 74. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DeVonta Smith, even in weeks where Marquise Brown posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.
Both share a Week 5 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking wide receivers this deep on your bench, plan your replacement wide receiver early.
