Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Tetairoa McMillanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tetairoa McMillan is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tetairoa McMillan is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Tetairoa McMillan edges DeVonta Smith by 0.9 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Tetairoa McMillan goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

WRCarolina Panthers#26PPG LEADER

Tetairoa McMillan

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,014

Rec TDs

Targets

122

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

DeVonta Smith

Tetairoa McMillan

Head to Head

9.6 PPG10.5 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Tetairoa McMillan: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #26 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Tetairoa McMillan at 48%. That ranking gap means Tetairoa McMillan carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Tetairoa McMillan: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. DeVonta Smith finished the 2025 season at 9.6 PPG over 17 games with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Tetairoa McMillan clocked in at 10.5 across 17 appearances for the Carolina Panthers. A 0.9-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. DeVonta Smith turned 113 targets into 1008 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Tetairoa McMillan converted 122 looks into 1014 yards and 7 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: DeVonta Smith is off Week 10 and Tetairoa McMillan 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. Tetairoa McMillan (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Tetairoa McMillan outscored DeVonta Smith by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tetairoa McMillan scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Tetairoa McMillan saw 122 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Tetairoa McMillan is 4 years younger than DeVonta Smith (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DeVonta Smith vs Tetairoa McMillan: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Tetairoa McMillan
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	10.5
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	179
Receptions	77	70
Rec/Game	4.5	4.1
Receiving Yards	1,008	1,014
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	59.6
Receiving TDs	4	7
Targets	113	122
Target Share/Game	6.6	7.2
Age	27	23
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Tetairoa McMillan holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.5 points per game. DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DeVonta Smith or Tetairoa McMillan in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tetairoa McMillan has the edge at 10.5 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 Tetairoa McMillan average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tetairoa McMillan averaged 10.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Tetairoa McMillan's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is DeVonta Smith or Tetairoa McMillan a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Tetairoa McMillan outscored DeVonta Smith by 0.9 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.