Start DeVonta Smith or Christian Watson? Week 3

Our Week 3 call

Start DeVonta Smith over Christian Watson in Week 3.

De-vigged player props project DeVonta Smith at 15.3 points and Christian Watson at 14.7, a gap of 0.7. That is inside the noise of a single catch, so treat it as close to a coin flip. Drafters take DeVonta Smith at ADP 12 and Christian Watson at 18.

What the books imply

Player prop markets imply 15.3 fantasy points for DeVonta Smith, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The books have DeVonta Smith at 72.5 receiving yards and 5.5 receptions, with a 34% chance to score a touchdown (13, 12 and 15 books).

Player prop markets imply 14.7 fantasy points for Christian Watson, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The books have Christian Watson at 71.5 receiving yards and 4.5 receptions, with a 38% chance to score a touchdown (17, 15 and 18 books).

That puts DeVonta Smith 0.7 points ahead of Christian Watson on the books.

Week 3 matchups

DeVonta Smith and PHI visit CHI on Monday at 8:15 PM ET.

CHI allowed 27.5 fantasy points a game to WRs this season over 2 games, the 11th fewest in the league.

Receivers caught passes for 145 yards and a touchdown a game against CHI.

Christian Watson and GB host ATL on Thursday at 8:15 PM ET.

ATL allowed 30.3 fantasy points a game to WRs this season over 2 games, the 16th most in the league.

Receivers caught passes for 178 yards and no touchdowns a game against ATL.

By points allowed to the position, Christian Watson has the softer matchup.

Injury status

DeVonta Smith is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.

Christian Watson is not on the injury report.

Usage before Week 3

Through Week 2, DeVonta Smith played 91 percent of PHI snaps, drew 34 percent of the targets, earned 52 percent of the air yards and had 6 percent of the red zone chances.

DeVonta Smith, Week 1 against WAS: 52 of 55 snaps, 6 targets and 3 catches for 53 yards.

DeVonta Smith, Week 2 against TEN: 67 of 76 snaps, 13 targets and 10 catches for 117 yards, 1 touchdown.

Through Week 2, Christian Watson played 83 percent of GB snaps, drew 28 percent of the targets, earned 31 percent of the air yards and had 17 percent of the red zone chances.

Christian Watson, Week 1 against MIN: 52 of 68 snaps, 8 targets and 6 catches for 147 yards, 2 touchdowns.

Christian Watson, Week 2 against NYJ: 53 of 59 snaps, 11 targets and 4 catches for 41 yards, 1 touchdown.

Their 2025 seasons

In 2025, DeVonta Smith played 17 games for PHI and scored 201.8 PPR points, 11.9 a game, finishing WR20.

He caught 77 of 113 targets for 1008 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 10 red zone targets and 715 air yards.

He was on the field for 89 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

DeVonta Smith, Week 18 of 2025 against WAS: 4 targets and 3 catches for 52 yards, 8.2 PPR points.

In 2025, Christian Watson played 10 games for GB and scored 132.4 PPR points, 13.2 a game, finishing WR46.

He caught 35 of 55 targets for 611 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 6 red zone targets and 493 air yards.

He was on the field for 68 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

Christian Watson, Week 17 of 2025 against BAL: 29 of 47 snaps, 6 targets and 5 catches for 113 yards, 1 touchdown, 22.3 PPR points.

Their other Week 3 calls

• Start Chris Olave over DeVonta Smith.
• Start Davante Adams over DeVonta Smith.
• Start Drake London over DeVonta Smith.
• Start Christian Watson over Chris Godwin Jr..
• Start Christian Watson over DJ Moore.
• Start Drake London over Christian Watson.