NBC Sports Rotoworld on Josh Downs

Article2026 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Tiers: Buy the dip on Justin Jefferson
Read the full article

From the article

Downs was a target-earning phenom in 2024. Only Puka Nacua, Malik Nabers, and CeeDee Lamb were targeted at a higher rate per route. He suffered a myriad of injuries in 2025 and failed to live up to the fantasy hype. Now the deck has been cleared for him to take on a larger role with Michael Pittman traded and Alec Pierce currently recovering from ankle surgery.
Captured by STACKED 10 min after posting

STACKED’s take

Positive signalBreakout

Downs' elite target rate and cleared role make him a season-defining breakout bet.

Downs was a target-earning phenom in 2024, ranking among the top four receivers in targets per route (behind only Puka Nacua, Malik Nabers, and CeeDee Lamb); after suffering injuries in 2025, the deck has been cleared with Michael Pittman traded and Alec Pierce recovering from ankle surgery, positioning Downs as one of the best bets to define the fantasy season with a larger role.

Josh Downs headshotJosh DownsWRPlayer page — value, ADP, projections, and every insight

More on Josh Downs and from NBC Sports Rotoworld