Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Jonnu Smith vs Rashee RiceWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Rashee Rice over Jonnu Smith in 2026.

Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 PPG in 2025 to Jonnu Smith's 8.2, a 7.3 point per game edge. Rice posted that edge in only 8 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Rashee Rice (15.5 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Jonnu Smith (8.2 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

In the app

Track Jonnu Smith and Rashee Rice live in the DraftCall app.

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TEMiami Dolphins#99

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

WRKansas City Chiefs#5PPG LEADER

Rashee Rice

PPG

15.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

571

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Jonnu Smith

Rashee Rice

Head to Head

8.2 PPG15.5 PPG

15 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Jonnu Smith: Unranked TE. Rashee Rice: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #5 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. An Unranked TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 1 (Elite) WR in most league formats.

Jonnu Smith vs Rashee Rice: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Jonnu Smith (TE, Miami Dolphins) against Rashee Rice (WR, Kansas City Chiefs) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Rashee Rice posted 15.5 PPG across 8 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Jonnu Smith has his bye in Week 6, Rashee Rice in Week 5. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Rashee Rice at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Jonnu Smith is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Rashee Rice (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Rashee Rice outscored Jonnu Smith by a projected 124 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonnu Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Rashee Rice's 8. That durability gap means Jonnu Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Rashee Rice scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Rashee Rice saw 78 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jonnu Smith vs Rashee Rice: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jonnu Smith	Rashee Rice
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	15.5
Games Played	15	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	124
Receptions	52	53
Rec/Game	3.5	6.6
Receiving Yards	562	571
Rec Yds/Game	37.5	71.4
Receiving TDs	4	5
Targets	68	78
Target Share/Game	4.5	9.8
Age	-	26
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Rashee Rice holds the PPG edge with solid output at 15.5 points per game. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jonnu Smith or Rashee Rice in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rashee Rice has the edge at 15.5 PPG compared to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Jonnu Smith and Rashee Rice average in 2025?▾

Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 7.3 points per game.

When are Jonnu Smith and Rashee Rice's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Rashee Rice (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.