DeVonta Smith vs Jaylen Waddle
2026 draft comparison · half-PPR
Updated Aug 26, 2026
Should you draft DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle?
Last season — 2025, per game
Full game log & past seasons
| WK | OPP | FPTS | RANK | TGT | REC | YD | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | DAL | 3.1 | WR79 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 0 |
2 | KC | 7.3 | WR53 | 6 | 4 | 53 | 0 |
3 | LAR | 16.0 | WR12 | 9 | 8 | 60 | 1 |
4 | TB | 3.9 | WR67 | 2 | 2 | 29 | 0 |
5 | DEN | 15.4 | WR14 | 10 | 8 | 114 | 0 |
6 | NYG | 6.9 | WR38 | 5 | 4 | 49 | 0 |
7 | MIN | 28.8 | WR2 | 11 | 9 | 183 | 1 |
8 | NYG | 11.4 | WR21 | 9 | 6 | 84 | 0 |
9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
10 | GB | 14.9 | WR17 | 7 | 4 | 69 | 1 |
11 | DET | 1.3 | WR95 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
12 | DAL | 11.9 | WR20 | 11 | 6 | 89 | 0 |
13 | CHI | 7.3 | WR39 | 8 | 5 | 48 | 0 |
14 | LAC | 5.7 | WR41 | 8 | 4 | 37 | 0 |
15 | LV | 6.0 | WR53 | 2 | 2 | 50 | 0 |
16 | WAS | 13.2 | WR18 | 8 | 6 | 42 | 1 |
17 | BUF | 3.5 | WR73 | 5 | 2 | 25 | 0 |
18 | WAS | 6.7 | WR33 | 4 | 3 | 52 | 0 |
Earlier seasons (2024)
| WK | OPP | FPTS | RANK | TGT | REC | YD | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GB | 11.9 | WR21 | 8 | 7 | 84 | 0 |
2 | ATL | 17.1 | WR14 | 10 | 7 | 76 | 1 |
3 | NO | 11.4 | WR30 | 10 | 7 | 79 | 0 |
4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | CLE | 13.9 | WR20 | 4 | 3 | 64 | 1 |
7 | NYG | 0.3 | WR103 | 2 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
8 | CIN | 17.5 | WR8 | 7 | 6 | 85 | 1 |
9 | JAX | 16.7 | WR11 | 6 | 4 | 87 | 1 |
10 | DAL | 2.4 | WR74 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 0 |
11 | WAS | 4.9 | WR55 | 6 | 4 | 29 | 0 |
12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
14 | CAR | 11.7 | WR27 | 6 | 4 | 37 | 1 |
15 | PIT | 22.5 | WR6 | 12 | 11 | 109 | 1 |
16 | WAS | 8.1 | WR48 | 8 | 6 | 51 | 0 |
17 | DAL | 27.0 | WR3 | 7 | 6 | 120 | 2 |
| WK | OPP | FPTS | RANK | TGT | REC | YD | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | IND | 5.0 | WR57 | 5 | 4 | 30 | 0 |
2 | NE | 15.3 | WR14 | 6 | 5 | 68 | 1 |
3 | BUF | 12.4 | WR23 | 6 | 5 | 39 | 1 |
4 | NYJ | 6.3 | WR47 | 6 | 3 | 48 | 0 |
5 | CAR | 20.0 | WR4 | 9 | 6 | 110 | 1 |
6 | LAC | 12.8 | WR17 | 8 | 6 | 95 | 0 |
7 | CLE | 2.0 | WR86 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
8 | ATL | 18.4 | WR4 | 6 | 5 | 99 | 1 |
9 | BAL | 11.2 | WR27 | 9 | 6 | 82 | 0 |
10 | BUF | 16.9 | WR11 | 7 | 5 | 84 | 1 |
11 | WAS | 6.7 | WR40 | 7 | 3 | 52 | 0 |
12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
13 | NO | 5.5 | WR48 | 6 | 3 | 40 | 0 |
14 | NYJ | 15.6 | WR10 | 7 | 5 | 50 | 1 |
15 | PIT | 3.6 | WR72 | 4 | 2 | 26 | 0 |
16 | CIN | 9.7 | WR29 | 9 | 5 | 72 | 0 |
17 | TB | 0.7 | WR118 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Earlier seasons (2024)
| WK | OPP | FPTS | RANK | TGT | REC | YD | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | JAX | 13.7 | WR17 | 5 | 5 | 109 | 0 |
2 | BUF | 6.5 | WR39 | 4 | 4 | 41 | 0 |
3 | SEA | 4.6 | WR68 | 5 | 4 | 26 | 0 |
4 | TEN | 5.6 | WR60 | 6 | 4 | 36 | 0 |
5 | NE | 6.6 | WR48 | 8 | 4 | 46 | 0 |
6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
7 | IND | 1.6 | WR93 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 0 |
8 | ARI | 6.5 | WR56 | 6 | 4 | 45 | 0 |
9 | BUF | 6.6 | WR46 | 2 | 2 | -4 | 1 |
10 | LAR | 7.1 | WR35 | 6 | 3 | 57 | 0 |
11 | LV | 4.7 | WR57 | 3 | 2 | 37 | 0 |
12 | NE | 24.4 | WR3 | 9 | 8 | 144 | 1 |
13 | GB | 9.3 | WR36 | 4 | 4 | 53 | 0 |
14 | NYJ | 16.4 | WR16 | 12 | 9 | 99 | 0 |
15 | HOU | 0.0 | WR138 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
18 | NYJ | 7.0 | WR52 | 9 | 4 | 44 | 0 |
Latest takes
“Ladd McConkey and DeVonta Smith were also considered. 4.11: Jaylen Waddle (WR – DEN) Jaylen Waddle is being overlooked as he enters his first year with the Broncos.”
Kurt Blakeway· Aug 25“However, Smith was outstanding when seeing enough volume, averaging 19.3 fantasy points per game in the seven contests where he had seven or more targets, scoring 20 or more in nearly a third of those outings.”
Mike Fanelli· Aug 16“Honorable mention: DeVonta Smith and Luther Burden .” – Mark Ringo ( Sleepers and Busts ) Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ) “ Garrett Wilson is an elite talent stuck on a team lacking elite quarterback play.”
FantasyPros Staff· Aug 11
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“Advice: Moore is clearly behind DeVonta Smith , Dontaviyon Wicks, Darius Cooper, Makai Lemon , and Marquise Brown .”
Raju Byfield· Aug 10“DeVonta Smith (WR – PHI) Going as the WR12, 30th overall, one analyst has him as his WR10 and draws a direct comparison to a receiver who broke out immediately after a more famous teammate left the team last year.”
FantasyPros Staff· Aug 10“Smith is a perfect WR pairing with Nabers, bringing a player fantasy managers should feel good about not only being the top target on their team, but one who has proven he can carry the load as a top-12 WR for fantasy.”
Kurt Mullen· Aug 7“83.9% outside, 78.5% on-ball DeVonta Smith ’s 2025 Reception Perception profile:”
The FF Newsletter· Aug 6“When one of Brown or DeVonta Smith has missed time in the past, Goedert has stepped up as the second option”
Ellis Johnson· Aug 6“Round 5: DeVonta Smith (WR – PHI) Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams was staring me in the face, but with a FLEX spot still available in a PPR league, I couldn’t pass up DeVonta Smith .”
Richard Janvrin· Aug 5“DeVonta Smith is a terrific receiver, but it might be a mistake to assume that Smith’s 2026 numbers will dwarf those of Lemon, the 20th overall pick in this year’s draft.”
FantasyPros Staff· Aug 5“WR DeVonta Smith will move into the WR1 role on the Eagles and in fantasy. When A.J. Brown has missed games in the past, he steps up.”
Maggie Thraen· Jul 25“DeVonta Smith (PHI) : ADP 26.5 | WR12 The worst-kept secret in the NFL was the A.J. Brown trade. Smith has taken over as the Eagles’ No. 1 wide receiver with Brown in New England. Last season, he finished as the WR20, averaging 11.9 PPR fantasy points per game.”
Mike Fanelli· Jul 22“Last season, DeVonta Smith (like the rest of the Eagles’ offense) failed to live up to expectations. It was the former Heisman Trophy winner’s worst statistical season since his rookie year, way back in 2021. This year, the Eagles have made some changes.”
Kyle Lesti· Jul 20“In 21 games without Brown, Smith has over 1,200 yards and six touchdowns with almost seven targets per game. Now the clear No. 1 WR in Philly, his cost on Fantrax is just far too low.”
Ryan Kirksey· Jul 7“He also pointed to anticipated schematic changes that could create more play-action and pre-snap motion, potentially increasing Smith's efficiency without requiring a dramatic spike in volume.”
FantasyPros Staff· Jul 4
“4.11: Jaylen Waddle (WR – DEN) Jaylen Waddle is being overlooked as he enters his first year with the Broncos. Evan Silva of Establish The Run projects him to a huge year under Sean Payton, comparing him to Brandin Cooks during his time in New Orleans.”
Kurt Blakeway· Aug 25“His passing touchdown rate cratered from 5.1 to 4.1 percent in 2025, a dip that regresses back up, and he still runs a top-five-neutral-pass-rate offense that just added Jaylen Waddle . A bounce-back to top-seven range is well within range.”
FantasyPros Staff· Aug 25“Adding Jaylen Waddle is not some small improvement.”
Ellis Johnson· Aug 19
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“” – Nick Penticoff ( Fantasy Football Astronauts ) Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA) “ Jaylen Waddle (WR22) is a strong value at current ADP.”
FantasyPros Staff· Aug 11“The arrival of Jaylen Waddle will change that this year. Sutton still can be a highly productive player in a pass-happy offense, but he’ll take a backseat to Waddle.”
FantasyPros Staff· Aug 11“The Broncos gave up a first-, third- and fourth-round pick in 2026 to acquire Jaylen Waddle this offseason.”
Jim Moorman· Aug 10“Jaylen Waddle (WR – DEN) has a genuinely high ceiling in his new offense.”
FantasyPros Staff· Aug 10“Jaylen Waddle was tied for fifth in first downs per route run last year, despite a horrendous offensive environment and putrid quarterback play.”
Josh Shepardson· Aug 7“#1 catch rate (83%) - with only 2 drops all season Sean Payton’s stated vision for Jaylen Waddle is slot-to-Z - the opposite of his charted usage, per Reception Perception:”
The FF Newsletter· Aug 6“Sutton has increased target competition in Denver this season after the Broncos traded for Jaylen Waddle , but he has been a consistent TD threat with QB Bo Nix .”
Kurt Mullen· Jul 29“Jaylen Waddle (DEN) : ADP 42.5 | WR22 While the Miami Dolphins’ offense was inconsistent last season, Waddle ended the year as the WR24, averaging 12.1 PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, the veteran didn’t need a massive target share to produce top-12 fantasy numbers.”
Mike Fanelli· Jul 22“Jaylen Waddle (WR – DEN) It seemed in 2025, when Tyreek Hill got injured, that Jaylen Waddle was primed for another massive season.”
Tom Strachan· Jul 21“Jaylen Waddle , WR21 (Miami to Denver) It’s Jaylen Waddle SZN!”
FantasyPros Staff· Jul 21“With the passing attack expected to condense around just two clear focal points this year, Waddle projects as the offense’s unquestioned wide receiver one.”
FantasyPros Staff· Jul 20“Jaylen Waddle could vastly outproduce his fantasy football ADP. Currently going as the WR23, Waddle has true top-12 upside. After joining the Broncos this offseason, Waddle finds himself alongside an aging Courtland Sutton and a plethora of solid young talent.”
Ellis Johnson· Jul 10