Chris Olave or DeVonta Smith: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 1 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Too close to call — the edges cancel out.

Chris Olave and DeVonta Smith grade out even this week. Olave's best edge is availability (a clean report to Smith's Questionable), Smith's best edge is the game script (26.0 implied points to 20.8) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

Chris Olave

Chris Olave

WR10NOvs DET

Projected Points

Start
DeVonta Smith

DeVonta Smith

WR12PHIvs WSH

Projected Points

Start

Why Chris Olave

Start

WR1 and primary target. Silky route runner with vertical speed and high-volume target share.

Start — every-week WR start at consensus WR10: DET is the 7th-softest matchup vs WRs, 29% target share in 2025.

  • DET ranks 26 of 32 against WRs (one of the softer matchups, 0-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 20.8 team points as 7.0-point underdogs.
  • Listed WR on the latest depth chart with a 84% snap share in 2025.

Latest on Olave

NFL fantasy outlook for Saints in 2026? Etienne, Johnson, rookie WRs

With Alvin Kamara sidelined, fantasy managers are left to wonder who will pick up the carries for New Orleans.

ESPN · Sep 4, 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 WR12: WSH is the 10th-softest matchup vs WRs, 26.0 implied team total.

  • Carries a Questionable tag — usually plays, but monitor the final report.
  • WSH ranks 23 of 32 against WRs (one of the softer matchups, 0-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 26.0 team points as 5.5-point favorites.
  • Listed WR on the latest depth chart with a 84% snap share in 2025.

Head-to-head stats

MetricChris OlaveDeVonta Smith
Projected points
Consensus rankWR10WR12
Opponent vs positionDET · 26 of 320-game sampleWSH · 23 of 320-game sample
Receptions19 of 3225 of 32
Receiving Yards25 of 3227 of 32
Receiving TDs29 of 3222 of 32
Targets26 of 3223 of 32
Anytime TD30 of 3218 of 32
Target share29%(2025)24%(2025)
Reception share27%(2025)24%(2025)
Implied total · spread20.8+7.026.0-5.5
Depth chartWR1WR1
Snap share84%(2025)84%(2025)
Injury designation—Questionable

Signal breakdown

  • 14.8 vs 14.8 projected PPR pointsDeVonta Smith +
  • Rank 10 vs 12Chris Olave +
  • Opponent DvP rank 26 vs 23 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 20.8 vs 26.0 team pointsDeVonta Smith +
  • no designation vs QuestionableChris Olave +
  • 84% vs 84% snap shareDeVonta Smith +

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