Steichen bullish on role expansion to 12 personnel; rising ADP in sharp leagues
Head coach Shane Steichen has issued multiple bullish quotes about Josh Downs' role expansion in 2024. On July 28th, Steichen stated that Downs is a tremendous football player and the team is excited about getting him involved in any way possible, including in 12 personnel (outside receiver role) in addition to his existing slot work in 11 personnel. The next day, Steichen doubled down, saying Downs can play inside and outside and that his role is going to improve this season. Colts beat writer Steven Holder reported that Downs has looked fantastic in practice. The source frames this as the opposite of the Jaden Reed effect—a positive role expansion rather than a decline. If Downs struggles on the outside, the team would lean into 11 personnel to ensure he stays on the field. ADP has risen from 110s to 90s in sharper leagues (FFPC/FFC) but remains in the 110s in managed leagues, making him a value target as WR3/WR4 in PPR formats despite some downside risk from the Colts' expected offensive regression. GM Chris Ballard also loves him.
Captured by STACKED 56 min after posting
View Josh Downs 2026 fantasy football value pagePlayer profile with fantasy value, ADP, projections, news, and source-backed STACKED insightsShane Stiken was asked how much he's thought about getting Josh DS more involved in the offense this year... Josh DS is a tremendous football player. I'm excited for him going into the season, getting him involved any way we can, whether it's in 12 personnel. Obviously, he plays a lot in the slot in 11 personnel... his role is going to improve for us this season which we're excited about... Chris Ballard loves him as well... Downs makes a lot of sense as your wide receiver three or wide receiver four.
Josh Downs fantasy football FAQ
- What did Fantasy Points Fantasy Football say about Josh Downs?
- Head coach Shane Steichen has issued multiple bullish quotes about Josh Downs' role expansion in 2024. On July 28th, Steichen stated that Downs is a tremendous football player and the team is excited about getting him involved in any way possible, including in 12 personnel (outside receiver role) in addition to his existing slot work in 11 personnel. The next day, Steichen doubled down, saying Downs can play inside and outside and that his role is going to improve this season. Colts beat writer Steven Holder reported that Downs has looked fantastic in practice. The source frames this as the opposite of the Jaden Reed effect—a positive role expansion rather than a decline. If Downs struggles on the outside, the team would lean into 11 personnel to ensure he stays on the field. ADP has risen from 110s to 90s in sharper leagues (FFPC/FFC) but remains in the 110s in managed leagues, making him a value target as WR3/WR4 in PPR formats despite some downside risk from the Colts' expected offensive regression. GM Chris Ballard also loves him.
- Is this good or bad for Josh Downs's fantasy football value?
- STACKED tags this as a negative fantasy football signal for Josh Downs (WR). Steichen bullish on role expansion to 12 personnel; rising ADP in sharp leagues
- Where can I see Josh Downs's full 2026 fantasy outlook, projections, and ADP?
- Josh Downs's complete 2026 fantasy football outlook — projections, ADP movement across every platform, injury context, and all source-backed STACKED insights — is on their STACKED player profile.