Who Should I Start? DeVonta Smith or Brian Thomas Jr.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
13.4 0.1 0.0 4.8 63.7 0.4

DeVonta Smith News

DeVonta Smith Has Career-Year Upside as Eagles WR1

Wednesday, July 15, 12:16 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is getting the No. 1 role fantasy managers have wanted to see since A.J. Brown arrived. James Palmer reported that Smith has spent the offseason reaching out to former receivers as he prepares to lead the room, while Nick Sirianni believes Philadelphia has only scratched the surface with him. The production has never been the issue. Smith caught 77 passes for 1,008 yards and four touchdowns on 113 targets last season, his third 1,000-yard campaign in five years, and edged Brown by five yards for the team lead. Now Brown is in New England. Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, and Elijah Moore give the Eagles options, but Smith sits clearly at the front. Volume is the part that can hold the ceiling in check. Philadelphia attempted 497 passes in 2025, and the offense is still built around Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. RotoBaller ranks Smith WR11 in PPR, so this is not a sleeper price. A career year is still within reach if Sean Mannion gives him the extra work Nick Sirianni has discussed.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
10.3 1.0 0.0 3.4 51.1 0.3

Brian Thomas Jr. News

Brian Thomas Jr. to be Used More Down the Field?

Wednesday, June 24, 11:06 AM

NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reports that multiple people on the Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff have said that wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has come back on strong during offseason workouts and has focused on the mental element of his game as well as improving his chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence as he enters Year 3 in 2026. One source told Wolfe that Thomas has been "night and day" this offseason compared to his disappointing sophomore campaign in 2025, in which he caught 48 of 91 targets for 707 yards and two touchdowns in 14 regular-season starts after posting an 87-1,282-10 line in 17 games in his rookie season. The former first-rounder out of LSU is expected to be used a lot more down the field in 2026 on vertical routes, and the Jags think that's where the 23-year-old can really take the next step. Thomas is going to have to battle for targets with Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, and tight end Brenton Strange, but all signs this offseason are pointing towards a clear bounce-back for Thomas. Target him as a solid WR3/flex with upside for more in 2026 fantasy drafts.


DeVonta Smith vs. Brian Thomas Jr.

Still trying to decide between Smith and Thomas Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that DeVonta Smith is projected to score 13.4 points this week while Brian Thomas Jr. is projected to score 10.3 points.