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Head to Head

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DeVonta Smith vs Terry McLaurinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Terry McLaurin's 9.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, DeVonta Smith and Terry McLaurin are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-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#34PPG LEADER
DeVonta Smith
PPG
9.6
Games
17
Rec
77
Rec Yds
1,008
Rec TDs
4
Targets
113
Bye
Week 10
WRWashington Commanders#35
Terry McLaurin
PPG
9.5
Games
10
Rec
38
Rec Yds
582
Rec TDs
3
Targets
60
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
DeVonta Smith
Terry McLaurin

Head to Head

9.6 PPG9.5 PPG
17 GP10 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Terry McLaurin: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Terry McLaurin at 43%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

DeVonta Smith vs Terry McLaurin: The Full Breakdown

The gap between DeVonta Smith and Terry McLaurin is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 PPG with the Philadelphia Eagles across 17 games, and Terry McLaurin posted 9.5 with the Washington Commanders in 10.

When two wide receivers are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Target volume is the story here. DeVonta Smith saw 113 targets in 2025, while Terry McLaurin drew 60. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DeVonta Smith, even in weeks where Terry McLaurin 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 Terry McLaurin 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. Terry McLaurin (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

  • DeVonta Smith outscored Terry McLaurin by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Terry McLaurin's 10. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • DeVonta Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 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 Terry McLaurin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDeVonta SmithTerry McLaurin
PPG (Half-PPR)9.69.5
Games Played1710
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)16395
Receptions7738
Rec/Game4.53.8
Receiving Yards1,008582
Rec Yds/Game59.358.2
Receiving TDs43
Targets11360
Target Share/Game6.66.0
Age2730
Experience4 yrs6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DeVonta Smith at 9.6 PPG, 0.1 points per game above Terry McLaurin's 9.5. 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 Terry McLaurin in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Terry McLaurin's 9.5 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 Terry McLaurin average in 2025?

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Terry McLaurin averaged 9.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Terry McLaurin's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is DeVonta Smith or Terry McLaurin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

DeVonta Smith outscored Terry McLaurin by 0.1 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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