DeVonta Smith or Terry McLaurin: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Smith gets the edge because his WR1 role is already translating into weekly volume

Smith gets the edge because his WR1 role is already translating into the kind of full-time deployment that stabilizes a weekly PPR floor, confirmed by Yahoo Sports (Eagles Wire) 2026-09-14. McLaurin has the same scoring environment and a genuine WR1 ceiling, so the matchup itself does not separate them. Smith's advantage is meaningful but modest: McLaurin remains a viable starter, with the main risk being that Smith's early usage is based on only one game of evidence.

What flips it: A confirmed expansion of McLaurin's target role.

Sources: Yahoo Sports (Eagles Wire) · Sep 14, 2026

AI editor

DeVonta Smith

DeVonta Smith

WR16PHIvs TEN

Projected Points

Start
Terry McLaurin

Terry McLaurin

WR22WSHvs DAL

Projected Points

Start

DeVonta Smith’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-137 / +108
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 60.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+195
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Terry McLaurin’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
+112 / -143
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 53.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+205
Anytime Touchdown Props →
PHI@
TENSun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
WSH@
DALSun, Sep 20, 4:25 PM ETView the game →

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: TEN is the 9th-toughest matchup vs WRs, 27% target share.

  • A confirmed every-down role gives Smith the steadier PPR path.
  • He can win without a soft matchup because volume, not game environment, creates his edge.

Latest on Smith

Role

Smith played 52 of 55 offensive snaps (95%) in the Week 1 win, confirming his role as the clear WR1 in the new offense.

Yahoo Sports (Eagles Wire) · Sep 14, 2026

Why Terry McLaurin

Start

WR1 and offensive centerpiece. Explosive vertical route-runner with elite release package; missed time in 2025.

Start — WR22 by consensus and projection: DAL is the 8th-toughest matchup vs WRs, 14% target share.

  • McLaurin's vertical skill gives him slate-winning upside despite the narrower recent usage.
  • Washington's offensive rebound keeps his WR1 ceiling intact in an otherwise even game setup.

Latest on McLaurin

Why Commanders are believing in a Jayden Daniels rebound

Washington offensive coordinator David Blough said Daniels has had his best NFL camp so far.

ESPN · Sep 12, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDeVonta SmithTerry McLaurin
Projected points
Consensus rankWR16WR22
Opponent vs positionTEN · 9 of 321-game sampleDAL · 8 of 321-game sample
Receptions15 of 3212 of 32
Receiving Yards24 of 3213 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 321 of 32
Targets4 of 3211 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 321 of 32
Target share27%14%
Reception share21%11%
Implied total · spread23.5-4.523.5+4.5
Depth chartWR1WR1
Snap share95%87%

Recent form

DeVonta Smith — last 1 week

Week 1vs WSH

Terry McLaurin — last 1 week

Week 1vs PHI

Signal breakdown

  • 14.0 vs 12.4 projected PPR pointsDeVonta Smith +
  • Rank 16 vs 22DeVonta Smith +
  • Opponent DvP rank 9 vs 8 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 23.5 vs 23.5 team pointseven
  • No injury designationseven
  • 95% vs 87% snap shareDeVonta Smith +

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