Devaughn Vele or DeVonta Smith: Who Should You Start?

Historical comparison from 2026 Week 3 — one of these players isn’t on the current board.

Start Smith — the projection edge is too wide to ignore.

DeVonta Smith projects 15.6 to Vele's 11.5. Vele's edge is the game script, 23.0 implied points to 22.5. The gap is comfortable.

Devaughn Vele

Devaughn Vele

WRNOvs LV

Projected Points

Start· medium
DeVonta Smith

DeVonta Smith

WR16PHIvs CHI

Projected Points

Start
LV@
NOSun, Sep 27, 4:25 PM ETView the game →
PHI@
CHIMon, Sep 28, 8:15 PM ETView the game →

Why Devaughn Vele

Start· medium

Starting WR with rare size. Big-bodied contested-catch target in the intermediate game.

94% snap share and a locked WR-2 role with 19% target share make Vele a playable PPR flex at 11.5 projected, even against a top-10 DvP unit.

  • LV ranks 7 of 32 against WRs (one of the tougher matchups, 2-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 23.0 team points as 3.5-point favorites.
  • Listed WR-2 on the latest depth chart with a 94% snap share.

The call

  • Role is not in question: 94% snap share through two games with a 19% target share means he's on the field for everything as the WR-2, and that volume floor is what flex plays live on in PPR.
  • The 11.5-point projection lands him in solid FLEX/WR3 territory — clearly above a typical replacement option in a 12-team league.
  • The matchup grades tough (7 of 32 vs the position), but that composite comes off a 2-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it's not reliable enough to bench a full-time receiver over.
  • Game script is neutral-to-good: 23.0 implied team total as a 3.5-point favorite keeps the offense on schedule without forcing a pass-heavy blowout chase — the main risk is a run-out-the-clock win that caps his targets.

Latest on Vele

Saints QB Tyler Shough expects less jitters vs. Ravens

The 26-year-old starter is the first to say he and his New Orleans team will fight through the adversity.

ESPN · Sep 18, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why DeVonta Smith

Start

WR1-caliber outside receiver. Elite route technician with reliable hands and high target volume.

Start — every-week WR start at consensus WR16: 34% target share, 15.6 PPR projected vs CHI.

  • CHI ranks 13 of 32 against WRs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 2-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 22.5 team points as 1.5-point underdogs.
  • Listed WR on the latest depth chart with a 92% snap share.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDevaughn VeleDeVonta Smith
Projected points
Consensus rank—WR16
Opponent vs positionLV · 7 of 322-game sampleCHI · 13 of 322-game sample
Receptions2 of 326 of 32
Receiving Yards16 of 3218 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 3215 of 32
Targets14 of 3210 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 3215 of 32
Target share19%34%
Reception share19%33%
Implied total · spread23.0-3.522.5+1.5
Depth chartWR2WR1
Snap share94%92%
Start/Sit record1–0—

Recent form

Devaughn Vele — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs BAL
Week 1vs DET

DeVonta Smith — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs TEN
Week 1vs WSH

Signal breakdown

  • 11.5 vs 15.6 projected PPR pointsDeVonta Smith +
  • Consensus position rankeven
  • Opponent DvP rank 7 vs 13 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 23.0 vs 22.5 team pointsDevaughn Vele +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 94% vs 92% snap shareDevaughn Vele +

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