Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ja'Marr Chase vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ja'Marr Chase is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.7 PPG to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ja'Marr Chase is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Ja'Marr Chase (15.7 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Jonnu Smith (8.2 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

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

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WRCincinnati Bengals#3PPG LEADER

Ja'Marr Chase

PPG

15.7

Games

Rec

125

Rec Yds

1,412

Rec TDs

Targets

185

Bye

Week 6

TEMiami Dolphins#99

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Ja'Marr Chase

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

15.7 PPG8.2 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Ja'Marr Chase: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #3 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 1 (Elite) WR is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 5 (Deep League) TE in most league formats.

Ja'Marr Chase vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Ja'Marr Chase (WR, Cincinnati Bengals) against Jonnu Smith (TE, Miami Dolphins) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Ja'Marr Chase averaged 15.7 PPG in 2025 over 16 games, while Jonnu Smith posted 8.2 PPG across 15 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Ja'Marr Chase is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jonnu Smith is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Ja'Marr Chase (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Ja'Marr Chase outscored Jonnu Smith by a projected 128 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ja'Marr Chase played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jonnu Smith's 15. That durability gap means Ja'Marr Chase contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ja'Marr Chase scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Ja'Marr Chase saw 185 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ja'Marr Chase vs Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ja'Marr Chase	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.7	8.2
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	251	123
Receptions	125	52
Rec/Game	7.8	3.5
Receiving Yards	1,412	562
Rec Yds/Game	88.3	37.5
Receiving TDs	8	4
Targets	185	68
Target Share/Game	11.6	4.5
Age	26	-
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

15.7 PPG for Ja'Marr Chase versus 8.2 for Jonnu Smith in 2025. The baseline favors Ja'Marr Chase, 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 Ja'Marr Chase or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ja'Marr Chase has the edge at 15.7 PPG compared to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 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 Ja'Marr Chase and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Ja'Marr Chase averaged 15.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 7.5 points per game.

Do Ja'Marr Chase and Jonnu Smith share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Ja'Marr Chase and Jonnu Smith share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.