Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Troy FranklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Troy Franklin's 8.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, DeVonta Smith and Troy Franklin 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#34PPG LEADER

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

WRDenver Broncos#44

Troy Franklin

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

709

Rec TDs

Targets

104

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

DeVonta Smith

Troy Franklin

Head to Head

9.6 PPG8.5 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Troy Franklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #44 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% of elite pace and Troy Franklin at 39%. That ranking gap means DeVonta Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs Troy Franklin: 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 Troy Franklin clocked in at 8.5 across 17 appearances for the Denver Broncos. A 1.1-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 Troy Franklin converted 104 looks into 709 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Both share a Week 10 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking wide receivers this deep on your bench, plan your replacement wide receiver early.

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. Troy Franklin (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•DeVonta Smith outscored Troy Franklin by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Troy Franklin scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 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.
•Troy Franklin is 4 years younger than DeVonta Smith (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
•Both players share a Week 10 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DeVonta Smith vs Troy Franklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Troy Franklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	8.5
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	145
Receptions	77	65
Rec/Game	4.5	3.8
Receiving Yards	1,008	709
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	41.7
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	113	104
Target Share/Game	6.6	6.1
Age	27	23
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DeVonta Smith at 9.6 PPG, 1.1 points per game above Troy Franklin's 8.5. 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 Troy Franklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Troy Franklin's 8.5 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 Troy Franklin average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

Do DeVonta Smith and Troy Franklin share a bye week?▾

Yes, both DeVonta Smith and Troy Franklin share a Week 10 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is DeVonta Smith or Troy Franklin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith outscored Troy Franklin 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.