The wide receiver position presents challenging decisions for fantasy managers seeking reliable production from mid-tier options. DeVonta Smith and Courtland Sutton represent two players relatively close in rankings, creating a decision many fantasy football managers might face in Week 3 lineups.
DeVonta Smith Fantasy Outlook
Smith has gotten off to a slow start this season with the Eagles posting a 63% neutral game script run rate through their first two games. His production has been disappointing, posting just 4.6 fantasy points in Week 1 and 9.3 fantasy points in Week 2, hardly starter-worthy numbers for a player drafted as a WR2 option.
The Alabama product caught three of three targets for 16 yards against Dallas in the opener, followed by four receptions on six targets for 53 yards against Kansas City in Week 2. His seven total receptions for 69 yards through two games represent his lowest two-game start since his rookie season.
Jalen Hurts has yet to throw a touchdown pass this season, which certainly doesn’t help Smith’s fantasy prospects. Philadelphia’s conservative offensive approach and heavy reliance on Saquon Barkley in the ground game have limited passing volume and red zone opportunities for all receivers.
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When these teams met in the postseason earlier this year, Smith caught four passes for 21 yards as it became the Saquon Barkley show with 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles’ ability to control games through their ground attack continues to limit individual receiver upside.
Smith’s target share remains respectable at 22% through two weeks, but the overall lack of passing volume creates a low ceiling for fantasy production. His talent level suggests the capability for WR2 numbers if the game script forces Philadelphia to throw more frequently.
Courtland Sutton Fantasy Outlook
Sutton opened the season hot, catching six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, posting 16.1 fantasy points in an encouraging debut for the 2025 season. His chemistry with the sophomore seemed to pick up right where they left off.
However, Sutton seemingly took a backseat to Troy Franklin in Week 2 against Indianapolis. He was targeted only four times, catching one pass for six yards while posting just 1.6 fantasy points in a concerning regression from his opening performance.
The veteran receiver’s two-game totals show seven receptions on 13 targets for 67 yards and one touchdown, representing inconsistent usage that makes weekly predictions difficult. His 22.5% target share in Week 1 dropped to just 13.3% in Week 2, highlighting the volatility in Denver’s passing attack.
Franklin’s emergence as a red zone threat and slot option appears to be cutting into Sutton’s target share, particularly in favorable matchups where the Broncos can spread the ball around. The rookie’s nine targets in Week 2 exceeded Sutton’s total, suggesting a more balanced approach to target distribution.
Sutton’s role as the primary outside receiver should provide some consistency. Still, the Broncos’ commitment to establishing their ground game and utilizing multiple receivers creates weekly uncertainty about his involvement level.
Should You Start Smith or Sutton This Week?
The Los Angeles Rams pose an intriguing matchup for Smith and the Eagles’ offense. Los Angeles has shown vulnerability against slot receivers and underneath routes, which could favor Smith’s skill set if Philadelphia needs to throw more frequently to keep pace.
However, fantasy managers remain at the mercy of the game script regarding Smith’s production. Suppose the Rams can neutralize Barkley or score enough points to force Philadelphia into obvious passing situations. In that case, Smith has the talent to post WR2 numbers in what could become a competitive contest.
The Chargers present a difficult matchup for Sutton and Denver’s passing attack. Los Angeles has one of the better defenses in the league and completely erased Patrick Mahomes for at least the entire first half of their Week 1 meeting, limiting the Chiefs to minimal offensive production.
Do not expect the Broncos-Chargers matchup to be high-scoring, given both teams’ defensive capabilities and conservative offensive approaches. Nevertheless, the Chargers have a strong run defense that should be able to shut down JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey, potentially forcing Sean Payton to lean more heavily on Bo Nix and the passing game.
This defensive strength against the run could create more volume for Sutton if Denver falls behind and needs to throw to keep pace. His size and red zone ability make him a candidate for touchdown opportunities if the Broncos reach scoring position through the air.
The PFSN Start/Sit Optimizer projects Sutton for 13.9 fantasy points compared to 12.9 for Smith, reflecting the slight edge in expected volume and touchdown potential for the Denver receiver in Week 3.
While the projections are close, fantasy managers should lean toward Sutton based on his superior touchdown upside and the likelihood that Denver will need to throw more than Philadelphia in their respective matchups this weekend.