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Davis Mattek fantasy football takes on Josh Downs
Every source-backed video insight STACKED has extracted from Davis Mattek about Josh Downs.
23
Insights
12
Positive
5
Negative
Insight ledger
All Davis Mattek insights about Josh Downs
PositiveDepth ChartOct 29, 2026
Josh Downs has requested a trade with roughly 96 hours until kickoff, creating major roster uncertainty and target share implications. If traded before game, his absence would open up targets for other Colts receivers but also worsen the overall receiving corps.NegativeBustOct 21, 2026
Josh Downs is underperforming dramatically despite a 95% route rate; the source notes this is shocking given his draft capital (would have been a 6th-round pick if his 80%+ route participation floor was known 6 weeks in), and he continues to be bad even while playing every down, suggesting a disconnect between opportunity and production. Quarterback play (Daniel Jones) and execution issues (interception bounce off his hands) compound the concern. Laquon Treadwell could see increased usage over Downs in heavy personnel packages, potentially reducing Downs' route participation from 95% to around 65% in those situations.NegativeBustOct 19, 2026
Josh Downs is not happening in fantasy; Davis Mattek identifies him as a huge miss in draft strategy, calling it a bad pick that underperformed expectations.NegativeProjectionOct 19, 2026
Josh Downs was identified as the receiver who would have projected best if Davis Mattek had pivoted away from Drake London to create salary relief, presented as an alternative in a $1,000 salary reduction scenario from London. Downs was also included in a tournament lineup that was in fifth place going into late games and the fourth quarter of the Rams game, part of a 'full Nate onslaught' build.NegativeValueOct 15, 2026
Davis Mattek argues Josh Downs is overpriced at $5,800 on DraftKings, noting he has been disappointing for two consecutive weeks and is currently being outperformed in target earning by Laquon Treadwell. Despite a 93% route participation rate, Mattek believes his price should be closer to $5,000 to be viable.PositiveUsageOct 14, 2026
Josh Downs has maintained high route participation, never dropping below 80% and reaching 90% recently, though his production remains disappointing. Davis Mattek notes he is currently unplayable at an 18% target share but becomes a viable option if that returns to 24-25%. Mattek is interested in him as a contrarian play this week due to a favorable matchup against the Titans and playing at home. Conversely, Mattek notes Jaylen Coker demonstrably possesses a higher fantasy ceiling this season.PositiveValueOct 11, 2026
Davis Mattek selects Josh Downs over Trey Harris as the preferred receiver option and ranks Downs ahead of Boston in DFS considerations, indicating a preference for Downs' value on the slate.PositiveSleeperOct 8, 2026
Davis Mattek highlights Josh Downs as available for "an absolute song" in trades because no one wants him, suggesting Downs is severely undervalued and represents a potential league-winner acquisition at minimal cost. However, Mattek is also dropping Downs in his rankings due to Keenan Allen being limited at practice and Addison being at practice, which would increase competition for targets in the Colts offense.NegativeValueOct 8, 2026
Josh Downs is priced at $6,000, which Davis Mattek considers too high given his recent poor performance ('gave everyone a lump of coal'). Mattek would like to get back in on Downs but doesn't think the price tag justifies it, especially with higher-quality receiver options available at that salary level.PositiveValueOct 7, 2026
Davis Mattek identifies Josh Downs as a high-value play at $6,000 on DraftKings, citing his consistent 85% raw participation rate and historical efficiency. Despite a poor performance last week with low target volume and air yard share, Mattek argues that fading him due to recency bias is a mistake, projecting him for a high target share in a favorable matchup against the Steelers, especially if Keenan Allen remains out with a groin injury.NegativeProjectionOct 4, 2026
Davis Mattek expresses desire for Josh Downs to score a touchdown in Week 4, suggesting upside potential in the matchup. However, during game action, Mattek expressed frustration about Downs' usage, noting 'Josh Downs not out here right now on this drive' and calling the situation 'horrendous,' indicating Downs was not getting expected playing time or opportunities despite pre-game optimism.PositiveValueOct 3, 2026
Davis Mattek identifies Josh Downs as his absolute favorite player prop of the week, expressing disbelief at how he is being priced at 5.5 receptions or 62.5 receiving yards. Downs faces primary coverage from a defender with poor coverage skills (nicknamed 'stand real still'), the Commanders pass defense has been brutal, and Downs has achieved a double-digit average depth of target for the first time in his career this year. With Keenan Allen and Tyler Warren handling short-area routes, Downs is the focal point of the Colts offense without Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr., making him a strong value play. Mattek expresses strong confidence in Downs as a prop play, calling it a lock and recommending it as a parlay leg.PositiveValueOct 3, 2026
The source expresses strong conviction that Josh Downs is underpriced relative to his week-specific opportunity. Downs faces the Commanders' brutal pass defense (ranked poorly through two games) and primary coverage from a cornerback nicknamed "stand real still." Critically, Downs has finally achieved a two-digit average depth of target for the first time in his career this year, as Keenan Allen and Tyler Warner handle short-area targets, elevating Downs' role in the intermediate/deep passing game. The source states: "I actually can't believe this is how Josh Downs is being priced" and "I love Josh Downs this week," emphasizing Downs has been the center of the Colts' offensive scheme.NegativeUsageSep 24, 2026
Davis Mattek notes that while Josh Downs runs elite routes and looks like the best player on the field, his fantasy output remains capped by the Colts' run-heavy offensive strategy, projecting a modest 12-13 PPR point performance.NegativeValueSep 17, 2026
Davis Mattek expresses regret for not drafting Josh Downs more aggressively, stating that in his heart of hearts, he would draft Downs ahead of DeVonta Smith, even if his official rankings don't reflect that preference.NegativeUsageSep 10, 2026
Davis Mattek expects Josh Downs to see high participation in the 90% range, but notes that Keenan Allen's presence may limit his immediate fantasy production. Mattek suggests the optimal time to roster Downs might be six weeks from now once Allen's health declines.PositiveUsageAug 30, 2026
Davis Mattek notes that Josh Downs could see a marginal increase in usage if Keenan Allen is suspended due to his recent DUI arrest.PositiveRoleMay 31, 2026
Mattek is hopeful that the Colts will expand Josh Downs' role and route tree. A recent OTA quote from Downs was 'not super bullish,' with Downs saying 'I hope that they expand my route tree... I hope they expand my role,' rather than confirming role expansion. However, Mattek believes Downs is 'too good for them' to not use heavily and expects him to be 'a huge part' of the Colts offense going forward.NegativeRoleMay 30, 2026
Downs is selected as wide receiver three in this best ball build to gain additional exposure to the player. The source acknowledges the pick is suboptimal relative to available quarterback options (Mahomes, Purdy, Dart) but prioritizes skill position depth given the roster construction strategy. Downs is drafted as part of the final roster, indicating confidence in his role and production potential with the Colts.PositiveRoleMay 16, 2026
Davis Mattek selected Josh Downs as the perfect wide receiver fit for his draft team, citing Downs' track record of strong fantasy production on limited routes. Downs is viewed as a high-efficiency option despite limited volume and is included in Mattek's best ball roster as part of a seven-wide-receiver room.NegativeRoleNo date
Davis Mattek likes Josh Downs but views him as secondary to Tyler Warren in the Colts passing game; Downs will lose the targets-per-route battle to Warren, who is positioned as the first option in the offense, especially with Pierce out to start the year.PositiveRoleNo date
Davis Mattek explicitly chose Josh Downs as a draft pick and set up an Indianapolis offensive stack with Michael Pittman Jr., indicating confidence in Downs' role and correlation value in the Colts offense. Downs was rostered as a wide receiver on Mattek's draft team roster and in an FFPC main event league, indicating Mattek views him as a viable mid-round selection in competitive formats.PositiveRoleNo date
Josh Downs is one of the analyst's favorite wide receiver targets that went off the board.