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Head to Head

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DeVonta Smith vs Michael WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Wilson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.7 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Wilson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Michael Wilson and DeVonta Smith are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34
DeVonta Smith
PPG
9.6
Games
17
Rec
77
Rec Yds
1,008
Rec TDs
4
Targets
113
Bye
Week 10
WRArizona Cardinals#24PPG LEADER
Michael Wilson
PPG
10.7
Games
17
Rec
78
Rec Yds
1,006
Rec TDs
7
Targets
126
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
DeVonta Smith
Michael Wilson

Head to Head

9.6 PPG10.7 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Michael Wilson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Michael Wilson at 49%. That ranking gap means Michael Wilson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Michael Wilson: The Full Breakdown

DeVonta Smith (9.6 PPG) and Michael Wilson (10.7 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. DeVonta Smith played 17 games for the Philadelphia Eagles; Michael Wilson suited up 17 times for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 1.1-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. DeVonta Smith turned 113 targets into 1008 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Michael Wilson converted 126 looks into 1006 yards and 7 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 Michael Wilson is off Week 14. 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. Michael Wilson (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Michael Wilson outscored DeVonta Smith by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Michael Wilson scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Michael Wilson saw 126 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 Michael Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDeVonta SmithMichael Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)9.610.7
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)163182
Receptions7778
Rec/Game4.54.6
Receiving Yards1,0081,006
Rec Yds/Game59.359.2
Receiving TDs47
Targets113126
Target Share/Game6.67.4
Age2726
Experience4 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Michael Wilson at 10.7 PPG, 1.1 points per game above DeVonta Smith's 9.6. 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 Michael Wilson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Wilson has the edge at 10.7 PPG compared to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 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 Michael Wilson average in 2025?

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Michael Wilson averaged 10.7 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Michael Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?

DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Michael Wilson (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DeVonta Smith or Michael Wilson a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Michael Wilson outscored DeVonta Smith by 1.1 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.

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