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 Will Not Practice on Tuesday

Tuesday, August 11, 6:52 AM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and rookie first-rounder Makai Lemon (hamstring) will miss another day of training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal. Smith is missing a fifth straight day of practice due to a hamstring injury, but he was seen doing some running before practice, and the Eagles are not concerned that his injury will keep him from suiting up in the 2026 regular-season opener in Week 1. Philly is being extra cautious with Smith, who is their new No. 1 receiver now that Pro Bowler A.J. Brown is in New England. The 27-year-old former 10th overall pick out of the University of Alabama had the third 1,000-yard season of his career in 2205 and added four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. With more targets coming his way and a higher floor for fantasy managers, Smith is now being viewed as a low-end WR1 as the Eagles' new No. 1 receiver, even though he's missing time in training camp with an injury. The fact that Smith was doing some running before practice on Tuesday means he could be back sooner rather than later.


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. "Makes a Statement" in Sunday's Practice

Sunday, August 9, 9:05 AM

Sports Illustrated's John Shipley writes that Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. "made a statement" in training camp practice on Sunday as he continues to stand out this summer. Shipley thinks Thomas' performance on Sunday "was the best day overall he has had." Early on, Thomas had "stellar reps" in one-on-one work in the red zone and caught a touchdown pass against Jarrian Jones, who has been one of the team's best cornerbacks in camp. BTJ's strong work continued in team drills, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence connecting with Thomas on a perfectly thrown downfield pass. Lawrence and Thomas continue to show elevated chemistry ahead of the 2026 regular season. In addition to downfield prowess, Thomas is "running crisper routes" and isn't putting as many balls on the ground. Shipley adds that he is "simply looking more and more like the 2024 version of himself," when he opened eyes with an 87-1,282-10 line as a rookie. With teammate Parker Washington's price soaring in fantasy drafts, Thomas is the better value pick of the two in fantasy drafts in 2026.


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.