Who Should I Start? DeVonta Smith or Rashee Rice

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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 Taking on WR1 Responsibilities in 2026

Saturday, August 29, 8:20 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith will occupy a much bigger role this season following the departure of former teammate A.J. Brown via trade. Smith has been a top-20 fantasy receiver in three of his last four seasons, including a finish as the overall WR20 in PPR leagues last year. He was healthy for all 17 games in 2025, catching 77 passes for 1,008 yards and a career-low four touchdowns. We're not expecting a major bump in touchdowns since the Eagles like to run the ball around the goal line, but Smith certainly should earn more targets, catches, and yards with Brown gone. Plus, as one of the most talented No. 2 receivers in years past, Smith should have no trouble adapting to the No. 1 role, even though it means he'll be going up against other teams' top cornerbacks. Smith has jumped to WR13 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings, and he currently has an ADP of 32.1 (WR14).

Rashee Rice - Kansas City (WR)

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Week 1 Projections

Fant. Pts.	Rush. Yds.	Rush TD	Rec.	Rec. Yds.	Rec TD
13.7	1.8	0.0	5.2	59.2	0.4

Rashee Rice News

Rashee Rice Being Drafted as a WR1 in Fantasy Football Drafts

Friday, August 28, 8:54 PM

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice currently has an ADP of 27.4 in the latest fantasy football drafts. That price tag corresponds to an early third-round pick and makes him the 11th receiver off the board. Rice is a talented player catching passes from Patrick Mahomes, so we understand the appeal in snagging him as a WR1. However, he also doesn't have much of a track record yet, as injuries and off-field issues limited him to just 12 games over the last two seasons. On a more positive note, he is averaging 18.0 fantasy points per game during those two years. The big question for fantasy managers is whether Rice, who certainly carries some risk and uncertainty, should continue to be drafted as a WR1 ahead of receivers like Chris Olave and Malik Nabers. The latest expert rankings are a little less bullish than the ADP, as he currently ranks as RotoBaller's WR17 in half-PPR leagues for 2026.

DeVonta Smith vs. Rashee Rice

Still trying to decide between Smith and Rice? 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 Rashee Rice is projected to score 13.7 points.