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Head to Head

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DeVonta Smith vs Quentin JohnstonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Quentin Johnston is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.2 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Quentin Johnston is the better fantasy play this season.

Quentin Johnston is the better play on a neutral week. 11.2 PPG with 742 yards gives a reliable baseline. DeVonta Smith at 9.6 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Quentin Johnston higher, but do not fade DeVonta Smith entirely.

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
WRLos Angeles Chargers#18PPG LEADER
Quentin Johnston
PPG
11.2
Games
13
Rec
51
Rec Yds
735
Rec TDs
8
Targets
84
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
DeVonta Smith
Quentin Johnston

Head to Head

9.6 PPG11.2 PPG
17 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Quentin Johnston: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #18 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Quentin Johnston at 51%. That ranking gap means Quentin Johnston carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Quentin Johnston: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between DeVonta Smith and Quentin Johnston is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver put up 9.6 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Quentin Johnston of the Los Angeles Chargers averaged 11.2 in 13. A 1.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.6 points favors Quentin Johnston, 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 Quentin Johnston drew 84. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DeVonta Smith, even in weeks where Quentin Johnston posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

DeVonta Smith has his bye in Week 10, and Quentin Johnston rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Quentin Johnston (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Quentin Johnston outscored DeVonta Smith by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Quentin Johnston's 13. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Quentin Johnston scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 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 Quentin Johnston: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDeVonta SmithQuentin Johnston
PPG (Half-PPR)9.611.2
Games Played1713
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)163146
Receptions7751
Rec/Game4.53.9
Receiving Yards1,008735
Rec Yds/Game59.356.5
Receiving TDs48
Targets11384
Target Share/Game6.66.5
Age2724
Experience4 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 7

Summary

11.2 PPG for Quentin Johnston versus 9.6 for DeVonta Smith in 2025. The baseline favors Quentin Johnston, 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 Quentin Johnston in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Quentin Johnston has the edge at 11.2 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 Quentin Johnston average in 2025?

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Quentin Johnston averaged 11.2 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Quentin Johnston's bye weeks in 2026?

DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Quentin Johnston (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DeVonta Smith or Quentin Johnston a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Quentin Johnston outscored DeVonta Smith by 1.6 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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