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Mattek Fantasy Football fantasy football takes on Josh Downs
Every source-backed video insight STACKED has extracted from Mattek Fantasy Football about Josh Downs.
42
Insights
34
Positive
5
Negative
Insight ledger
All Mattek Fantasy Football insights about Josh Downs
PositiveRoleOct 30, 2026
Despite requesting a trade, Downs will play his normal snap allocation (described as 'a lot of snaps') according to head coach Shane Steichen. Lamar Jackson speculates this could be an audition game or a 'come get me' performance, suggesting Downs will maintain significant volume and opportunity despite the trade request.NegativeBustOct 26, 2026
Josh Downs had two receptions for 18 yards (72 yards per route run) in a game where Daniel Jones was one of the worst quarterbacks the source has ever seen. The source has given up on Downs, stating 'I will not start Josh DS' and expressing that it is 'unbelievably over for Josh DS,' indicating a complete fade regardless of future quarterback play.NegativeBustOct 21, 2026
Ranked at 75 and the source considers ranking him even lower. Despite averaging over 90% route share for the Colts, Downs has severely underperformed expectations. The source cites Daniel Jones playing poorly as a key factor and expresses regret about his preseason evaluation, calling Downs one of the players he was most wrong about this season. His career targets per route run and yards per route run metrics made him look like a 'secret superstar player,' but he has not materialized. Potential improvement depends on Jones' health or Riley Leonard entering the game.NegativeBustOct 19, 2026
Despite an 88% route rate, Downs is struggling, managing only seven targets and 40 yards in his latest outing. The source notes he is in 'prove it' territory, citing poor play from both Downs and quarterback Daniel Jones, and will be ranked lower moving forward.PositiveProjectionOct 17, 2026
Ranked at WR27 but Bejian Robinson expresses reluctance about the ranking, calling him disappointing. However, if Tyler Warren misses with a groin injury suffered in practice on Friday, Downs could see a significant boost in target volume, potentially improving his fantasy value.NegativeMatchupOct 15, 2026
In an excellent matchup against Tennessee Titans, who allow short and intermediate passes to every team that plays them. Despite running 92% of routes in his last three games, Downs has underperformed fantasy expectations. The source doesn't understand what's happening with Downs; while wanting to blame Daniel Jones, Downs has unexpectedly failed to complete his routes this year. The source expects him to bounce back against the Titans, noting he looked like the best player on the field against Chiefs and Texans.NegativeProjectionOct 13, 2026
Ranked 54th; Mattek Fantasy Football believes Downs is talented but has disappointed over the most recent two weeks; contrary to initial concerns, Downs has run full routes (92% route share over the last three weeks) but simply hasn't received targets; the source frames this as a bet on talent and quarterback improvement from Daniel Jones.PositiveProjectionOct 12, 2026
Chris Rodriguez Jr. says Josh Downs stinks. Despite 93% route share in Week 5 with the team trailing the entire time, Downs was outtargeted by Laquan Treadwell, Keenan Allen, and Tyler Warren. He received only 6 targets on 43 drop backs (3 for 47 yards, 7 PPR points) and was target-per-route-run mugged by Keenan Allen. He has been playing in 12 personnel, so it's not a personnel issue. Outside of his phenomenal performance against the Chiefs, Downs has not been a good contributing player. Chris Rodriguez Jr. saw very little in pre-season data to suggest Downs would be worse with full playing time, but he has been.PositiveProjectionOct 8, 2026
Ranked 22nd despite poor recent performance (3 catches for 16 yards, 1% air yard share last week); the source acknowledges the ranking may seem high given last week's disappointing outing, but expects Downs to be the leading target for the Colts for the rest of the season; the source expects a concerted effort to get Downs the ball early in upcoming games.PositiveBreakoutSep 28, 2026
Josh Downs is a top 'buy-high' target for Charlie Kar, who views him as a fantasy superstar in the making. Downs drew 10 targets (tied for team lead) with a 60% air yard share and 100% of end zone targets, demonstrating elite usage despite not yet scoring a touchdown.PositiveProjectionSep 25, 2026
Josh Downs is a clear fantasy starter ranked at WR23 against the Texans. He looked like the best player on the field in the second half of the previous game against the Chiefs and has the potential to expand his role as a downfield receiver while remaining the team's best option for short-area work.PositiveBreakoutSep 23, 2026
Josh Downs is a primary buy candidate following an 83% snap share and nine-target performance; he is expected to be the Colts' primary pass-catcher with Alec Pierce out for four to six weeks.PositiveProjectionSep 21, 2026
Described as the engine of the Colts offense in week 2 with elite route involvement: 91% route share on the season, 9 targets, 30% of Colts' targeted throws, 7 catches for 72 yards. Mattek Fantasy Football projects this will be his first 1000-yard season, with significant upside once touchdowns arrive. If you own a Colts pass catcher, it should be Downs.PositiveValueSep 18, 2026
The source is fighting for Josh Downs as a fantasy asset and not giving up on him despite recent struggles, choosing him over other options like Reed and D-Rob, indicating conviction in his eventual upside.PositiveProjectionSep 17, 2026
Josh Downs is ranked 76th overall. He ran 92% of routes in Week 1 but was out-targeted by Keenan Allen. The source is a believer in Downs' talent and points to his large-sample career trajectory showing he will earn targets; he was targeted twice on the team's first drive on scripted plays, suggesting the team has confidence in him.PositiveUsageSep 16, 2026
Josh Downs is a superior route runner and target earner who operates primarily out of the slot, evidenced by an 82% route rate. He is viewed as a high-level target earner alongside Keenan Allen, which may limit the ceiling of other pass-catchers on the team.PositiveValueSep 14, 2026
Josh Downs is a major buy-low candidate. Despite a slow start with only three targets, he ran 94% of routes and played 88% of snaps, indicating he will be a significant target earner moving forward. He may even be dropped in some 10-team leagues, making him highly getable.PositiveRoleSep 11, 2026
The source identifies Downs as a strong first-read RPO target in the Colts' offense under Shane Steichen, noting his transition from part-time to full-time player status. The source explains that 'Keenan Allen is a really really good first read RPO guy and so is Josh Downs and Downs was a part-time player last year and Downs is going to be a full-time player this year.' This role expansion and scheme fit suggest increased fantasy relevance. The source expresses confidence in Downs, stating 'Josh Downs is going to crush. We took Josh Downs over Raandre,' indicating conviction in his performance relative to the alternative.PositiveBreakoutSep 9, 2026
Ranked at 76 in Week 1 FLEX rankings, significantly higher than Keenan Allen. The source identifies Downs as 'one of the biggest breakout stars in fantasy football,' expecting the Colts to throw heavily (potentially 40+ drop backs) against the Ravens, which should support a strong statistical line for Downs. The source ranks Downs firmly ahead of Keenan Allen, signaling confidence in Downs' upside relative to the veteran receiver.NegativeRoleSep 7, 2026
Josh Downs has been a bit player for the Colts with only 10 games in his career where he achieved a route share above 70%; he averages over 10 PPR points per game in those high-volume games. However, the Colts' signing of Keenan Allen to a one-year $8 million deal threatens to depress Downs' target share and fantasy production similarly to how Allen historically 'mogged' Lad Manucci's targets per route run. The source expresses concern that Keenan will do the same to Downs, questioning whether Downs can exceed his career high of 8.5 aDOT.NegativeRoleSep 6, 2026
The source lists Josh Downs as a potential flex starter option, indicating he is on the roster but without specific commentary on his role or usage.PositiveValueAug 30, 2026
JJ McCarthy has been high on Downs since his UNCC days and views him as a buy at current prices despite Keenan Allen joining the Colts. Downs posted 13.1 fantasy points per game in 2024 with strong per-target and per-route efficiency in his career (1.53 yards per route run). McCarthy notes Downs just received positive news due to Keenan Allen's legal situation—on August 30th, Keenan Allen received a DUI and may face a suspension at some point during the season, which would open up additional targets and opportunities for Downs. With Michael Pitman Jr. gone and Alec Pierce recovering from ankle injury, McCarthy believes Downs' talent and efficiency metrics support buying him at his current draft price.PositiveBreakoutAug 28, 2026
The source views Josh Downs as a fourth or fifth-round talent currently available at a discount. His outlook is bolstered by the departure of Michael Pittman Jr. and injuries to Alec Pierce; the source expects him to be a primary target in two-receiver sets and potentially improve as a downfield threat.PositiveValueAug 25, 2026
Trey Harris is buying Josh Downs, citing improved quarterback play and a clearer path to targets following the departure of Michael Pittman Jr. and the injury to Alec Pierce; however, Harris notes that Downs' fantasy value depends on his ability to improve his downfield production, as veterans like Keenan Allen currently outperform him in his primary role.PositiveValueAug 18, 2026
Josh Downs is included in a tier of roughly 30 wide receivers that the source considers highly valuable for drafting.PositiveValueAug 18, 2026
Josh Downs is expected to lead the Colts in targets and remains a strong value target in the 7th or 8th round. Despite previous injury issues and poor quarterback play, he is expected to move into the slot in 11 personnel while Keenan Allen plays outside. He may run a more diverse route tree to help the offense combat heavy defensive boxes, though target competition exists with Allen and Tyler Warren due to overlapping average depths of target.PositiveProjectionAug 6, 2026
Anticipated to lead the Indianapolis Colts in targets; speaker is targeting him in this tier.PositiveValueJul 14, 2026
Wide receiver selection preferred over Jordan Addison in full PPR scoring format. Part of WR room construction strategy.PositiveValueJul 14, 2026
In full PPR scoring, author prefers Josh Downs to Jordan Addison, indicating strong value at the wide receiver position.PositiveProjectionJul 13, 2026
If things break the right way, Josh Downs could be a 13-14 fantasy points per game guy and has less target competition than Chris Godwin, making him a strong wide receiver selection.PositiveRoleJun 1, 2026
According to reports, Downs is finally going to have an enhanced role. The source notes he is a 100-catch guy who has never been able to play enough snaps to reach that level. The only obstacle is Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. The source believes Downs can probably play on the outside but questions how much the team will choose to trust him in that role.NegativeProjectionNo date
Mattek Fantasy Football has given Downs enough chances and ranks him below Keenan Allen. Despite showing promise in two prime-time games early in the season, Downs has not followed up on that performance, making him a fade this week.PositiveProjectionNo date
Rashad White reassesses Josh Downs' breakout potential downward. Despite a 95% route rate, Downs received only three targets on 35% of routes and was out-targeted by Laquan Treadwell and Ashton Dulin. White expected a JSN-style transformation but now projects Downs as a mid-tier fantasy receiver averaging 10–12 fantasy points per game with high week-to-week variance due to low average depth of target and minimal red-zone usage (Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Warren handle that role).PositiveProjectionNo date
Gino Smith feels more confident in Josh Downs' fantasy outlook given the current team injury context.PositiveValueNo date
Josh Downs is ranked as the WR18 and is considered a top buy-low/buy-high target. He is the clear primary option for the Colts, showing elite film traits and increasing usage in intermediate and deep routes with Alec Pierce out. He has a solid weekly floor of 10 points and a favorable matchup against the worst pass defense in the NFL.PositiveUsageNo date
Josh Downs has shown the ability to earn volume with 9 and 11 targets in two games without Alec Pierce. He has been awesome with over 2 yards per route run. Though he has not scored a touchdown yet, Brock Powers feels very good about him against the Commanders' Swiss cheese secondary.PositiveBreakoutNo date
An absolute monster in targets per route run who has been on breakout lists every year but this is the year he actually breaks out. As a full-time player, Christian McCaffrey expects him to play much better than Keenan Allen. Expected to see his highest ever yards per target, likely exceeding 8.5 yards per target (career high 7.9), with more downfield usage; McCaffrey's guess is that Keenan Allen is not on the field in 12 personnel, and Josh Downs takes those snaps instead.PositiveSleeperNo date
Aj Brown took Josh Downs as a sleeper and was surprised he slipped through the draft; highlighted him with Danny from Fantasy Stock Exchange as one of their favorite sleepers. Downs has a groin injury and was not practicing at the time of the draft (August 9th), which may have contributed to his availability.PositiveProjectionNo date
Downs is a breakout bet at wide receiver with strong efficiency metrics when deployed as a full-time player; he averages over 10.5 PPR points per game in 10 career games where he ran 75%+ route share for the Colts. Alec Pierce's PUP designation opens opportunity, though a potential Keenan Allen signing could slightly diminish target share.PositiveRoleNo date
Direct beneficiary of Alec Pierce's injury; currently ADP WR43 on Underdog Fantasy. Downs has averaged over 10 fantasy points per game in games where he plays 75%+ of snaps. Source moving him up to WR40 in rankings due to increased opportunity and strong historical snap-count correlation.PositiveValueNo date
Josh Downs is a gift in the 11th round, representing strong value at that draft position.PositiveValueNo date
Josh Downs is available at ADP 145, which the analyst considers a significant value opportunity given Sleeper's default rankings inadequacies.