Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Marquise BrownWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Marquise Brown's 7.1 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. Marquise Brown at 7.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft DeVonta Smith higher, but do not fade Marquise Brown entirely.

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

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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

WRKansas City Chiefs#56

Marquise Brown

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

587

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

DeVonta Smith

Marquise Brown

Head to Head

9.6 PPG7.1 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Marquise Brown: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #56 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Marquise Brown at 32%. That ranking gap means DeVonta Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Marquise Brown: The Full Breakdown

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 Kansas City Chiefs (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.

One scheduling note: DeVonta Smith is off Week 10 and Marquise Brown Week 5. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Marquise Brown (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•DeVonta Smith outscored Marquise Brown by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Marquise Brown's 16. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Marquise Brown scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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 Marquise Brown: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Marquise Brown
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	7.1
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	114
Receptions	77	49
Rec/Game	4.5	3.1
Receiving Yards	1,008	587
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	36.7
Receiving TDs	4	5
Targets	113	74
Target Share/Game	6.6	4.6
Age	27	28
Experience	4 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DeVonta Smith at 9.6 PPG, 2.5 points per game above Marquise Brown's 7.1. 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 Marquise Brown in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Marquise Brown's 7.1 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 Marquise Brown average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Marquise Brown averaged 7.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Marquise Brown's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Marquise Brown (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DeVonta Smith or Marquise Brown a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith outscored Marquise Brown by 2.5 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.