DeVonta Smith · Luther Burden III · 2026 week 8

DeVonta Smith or Luther Burden III?

Wondering who you should start this week — DeVonta Smith or Luther Burden III? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start Luther Burden III — barelyThis one is a coin flip — the projections are within 0.3 points. The matchup leans Luther Burden III (SEA allow the 32nd-most WR points), but you can defend either call.

Player	Wk 8	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
DeVonta Smith	@ WAS	12.0	8th · soft	20.2	2,082	Questionable
Luther Burden III START	@ SEA	12.3	32nd · tough	16.7	2,694	healthy

WRs vs WAS recently: Laquon Treadwell 4.2 pts (W4) · Malik Nabers 18.1 pts (W5) · Mike Evans 9.4 pts (W6).

WRs vs SEA recently: Mike Evans 19.3 pts (W5) · Jaylen Waddle 2.4 pts (W6) · Cyrus Allen 1.8 pts (W7).

🎓 The coach's read

Projections are 0.3 apart — too close to call on projection alone.
DeVonta Smith has the higher floor (4.8) — the safer start if you are favoured.
Luther Burden III has the higher ceiling (22.2) — the play if you need points.
DeVonta Smith is steady — about 10% less volatile week to week than a typical WR projected here — higher floor, lower ceiling.
DeVonta Smith faces WAS, 8th most generous to WRs.
DeVonta Smith is flagged WATCH.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Luther Burden III carries the higher trade value — 2,694 against 2,082 (a 23% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Luther Burden III gets the most. Momentum: DeVonta Smith -1519 and Luther Burden III +931 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More WR decisions

DeVonta Smith or Mike Evans?DeVonta Smith or DJ Moore?DeVonta Smith or Jalen Coker?Luther Burden III or George Pickens?Luther Burden III or A.J. Brown?Luther Burden III or Matthew Golden?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.