Malik Nabers vs DeVonta Smith
Who should you start in Week 6? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 6
This week is a coin flip. The model leans DeVonta Smith by 1.0 projected points (12.5 vs 11.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
DeVonta Smith faces CAR, the 7th-friendliest matchup a WR can draw this week. Malik Nabers faces NO, the 27th-friendliest matchup a WR can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks Malik Nabers ahead. This is a matchup call for Week 6, not a change of heart about the rest of the year.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
The model takes Malik Nabers: a clear but modest edge of 6.9 points of value over replacement (33.3 vs 26.4).
The draft market agrees: Malik Nabers goes first at ADP 27.1 vs 29.1 for DeVonta Smith.
Health note: DeVonta Smith carries an injury flag of Questionable (Hamstring), which is already reflected in his projection.
| Malik NabersNYG | DeVonta SmithPHI | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 6 opponent | NO | CAR | |
| Projected Week 6 points | 11.5 | 12.5 | Smith +1.0 pts |
| Matchup rank (WR vs defense, of 28) | #27 | #7 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 211.7 | 204.8 | Nabers +6.9 pts |
| Points per game | 12.5 | 12.0 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 33.3 | 26.4 | Nabers +6.9 |
| Overall rank | #42 | #47 | Nabers by 5 |
| Position rank | WR14 | WR17 | |
| Market ADP | 27.1 | 29.1 | Smith +2.0 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 3 | Rd 3 | |
| Bye week | 8 | 10 | |
| Injury flag | None | Questionable |
Should I start Malik Nabers or DeVonta Smith in Week 6?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans DeVonta Smith by 1.0 projected points (12.5 vs 11.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Malik Nabers or DeVonta Smith in 2026 fantasy football?
Malik Nabers. He projects 211.7 fantasy points with 33.3 value over replacement, vs 204.8 points and 26.4 for DeVonta Smith (WR, PPR).