Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Puka NacuaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Puka Nacua is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 19.4 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Puka Nacua is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Puka Nacua outscored DeVonta Smith by 9.8 PPG in 2025 with 11 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Puka Nacua is the clear pick. DeVonta Smith profiles as a matchup-dependent wide receiver who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

WRLos Angeles Rams#1PPG LEADER

Puka Nacua

PPG

19.4

Games

Rec

129

Rec Yds

1,715

Rec TDs

Targets

166

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

DeVonta Smith

Puka Nacua

Head to Head

9.6 PPG19.4 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Puka Nacua: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #1 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Puka Nacua at 88%. That ranking gap means Puka Nacua carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Puka Nacua: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Puka Nacua put up 19.4 fantasy points per game for the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, while DeVonta Smith managed 9.6 across 17 games with the Philadelphia Eagles. A 9.8-point weekly edge is substantial at the wide receiver position.

The per-game difference of 9.8 points favors Puka Nacua, 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. Puka Nacua saw 166 targets in 2025, while DeVonta Smith drew 113. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Puka Nacua, even in weeks where DeVonta Smith 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 10 while Puka Nacua 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Puka Nacua is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. DeVonta Smith is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: DeVonta Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Puka Nacua (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Puka Nacua outscored DeVonta Smith by a projected 167 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Puka Nacua's 16. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Puka Nacua scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Puka Nacua saw 166 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 Puka Nacua: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Puka Nacua
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	19.4
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	310
Receptions	77	129
Rec/Game	4.5	8.1
Receiving Yards	1,008	1,715
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	107.2
Receiving TDs	4	10
Targets	113	166
Target Share/Game	6.6	10.4
Age	27	25
Experience	4 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

19.4 PPG for Puka Nacua versus 9.6 for DeVonta Smith in 2025. The baseline favors Puka Nacua, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DeVonta Smith or Puka Nacua in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Puka Nacua has the edge at 19.4 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 Puka Nacua average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Puka Nacua averaged 19.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 9.8 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Puka Nacua's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Puka Nacua (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DeVonta Smith or Puka Nacua a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Puka Nacua outscored DeVonta Smith by 9.8 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.