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Fantasy Football with Ian Hartitz fantasy football takes on Josh Downs
Every source-backed video insight STACKED has extracted from Fantasy Football with Ian Hartitz about Josh Downs.
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Insights
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Insight ledger
All Fantasy Football with Ian Hartitz insights about Josh Downs
NegativeProjectionOct 7, 2026
Ranked WR33 against the Steelers by Ian Hartitz. Hartitz is reacting to Daniel Jones' historically poor performance (37.4 QBR on a 100-point scale, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt—only Jacoby Brissett is worse). Jones is coming back from an Achilles injury and doesn't have his 'nine figure field stretcher' (referring to Saquon Barkley). Keenan Allen was also out with a groin injury, making it easy for defenses to stack the box and limiting Downs' upside. While Downs could theoretically benefit from more downfield targets, his 5'8", 170-pound frame limits upside against the Steelers, who have allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points per game to opposing slot receivers this season.PositiveUsageSep 25, 2026
Josh Downs has seen increased target share in the Colts offense as a beneficiary of Keenan Allen's reduced role.PositiveUsageSep 23, 2026
Ian Hartitz ranks Josh Downs as WR28, noting he would be higher if not for the tough matchup against the Texans. Downs has 8+ target upside following Alec Pierce's move to IR, and he currently leads the league in average separation score per Fantasy Points metrics.NegativeUsageSep 22, 2026
Ian Hartitz hopes that Josh Downs and Tyler Warren will receive enough targets to remain viable in fantasy despite the overall struggles of the Colts' offense.PositiveUsageSep 14, 2026
Josh Downs saw elite usage with 94% route participation, including 100% of routes in 12 personnel sets. While he recorded two receptions for 37 yards on the opening drive, Ian Hartitz notes his 14% target share is lower than Keenan Allen's 21%. His fantasy outlook is complicated by his 5'8, 170 lb frame, which limits his downfield upside, and the target competition from Keenan Allen in the underneath/intermediate areas.NegativeRoleSep 8, 2026
Ian Hartitz ranks Josh Downs as WR37 vs. the Ravens. Hartitz expresses interest in seeing how the Ravens' new defense performs and notes uncertainty about Downs' role if he plays in two-wide-receiver sets with Alec Pierce healthy and Keenan Allen involved.NegativeRoleAug 22, 2026
Josh Down is deprioritized relative to Jaden Reed due to Keenan Allen's presence in the Chargers offense, suggesting reduced opportunity for Down. Down is ranked ahead of Jaden Reed in the Chargers receiving hierarchy despite Keenan Allen's presence.PositiveRoleAug 21, 2026
Josh Downs may be sliding in draft position after the Colts signed Keenan Allen, suggesting reduced target share or role opportunity due to the addition of another receiver to the offense.PositiveValueAug 20, 2026
Ian Hartitz views Josh Downs as a good round 10 wide receiver target despite the Keenan Allen signing to Washington. Hartitz does not believe the Allen signing dooms Downs' value, suggesting the target share remains sufficient for both receivers.PositiveValueAug 5, 2026
Ian Hartitz identifies Josh Downs as a wide receiver he likes despite noting 'wonky stuff in ADP' across the position, suggesting Downs represents value relative to market expectations; he also mentions Downs as a mid-round sleeper option.NegativeProjectionJul 24, 2026
Josh Downs' target projection is contingent on two factors: Alec Pierce's health status and whether the Colts add an outside receiver like Keenan Allen. Colts coaches have been adamant that Downs can play on the outside, and Ian Hartitz ranks him slightly ahead of Jaden Reed. However, if Pierce is unavailable and the Colts add a capable outside receiver, Downs' snap count and target upside become significantly less plausible.PositiveMatchupNo date
If Kenan Allen is unavailable with a groin injury, Josh Downs becomes a stronger recommendation. Ian Hartitz couldn't be higher on Downs as a target in this scenario.PositiveMatchupNo date
Josh Downs has 24 scoreless targets this season (second on the touchdown drought leaderboard), but Ian Hartitz ranks him WR17 against the Commanders in London with significant upside. Downs has 20 total targets over the last two weeks and has cleared 70 yards even in tough matchups against the Chiefs and Texans. The Commanders defense has allowed seven additional PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers than any other defense, with cornerback Mike Saintsberry allowing 13 receiving touchdowns in coverage since the beginning of last season (no other cornerback in double digits). This is positioned as Downs' breakout week.PositiveUsageNo date
Josh Downs is expected to be one of the primary volume targets in the Colts offense alongside Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Warren. Ian Hartitz sees reason to be excited about Downs's fantasy prospects from a volume concentration perspective.NegativeRoleNo date
JJ Zachariason expresses preference for Josh Downs but acknowledges Tyler Warren was fed more often than Downs each week last season; Downs' target share is at risk if the Colts sign a veteran wide receiver (Stefon Diggs, Kieran Allen, or Debo Samuel), as he would be pushed out of two-receiver sets to a meaningful degree, making Warren the safer focal point.PositiveRoleNo date
Josh Downs would not be meaningfully impacted by potential receiver additions like Keenan Allen to the Colts; his role remains relatively secure even if other receivers join the team.PositiveValueNo date
Ryan Heath prefers Josh Downs over Tyler Warren to capitalize on the intermediate target opportunity left behind by Michael Pittman's departure, liking Downs at his cheaper ADP as the better value play for that role in the Colts offense. The core bet on Downs is that he will run the most routes of his career by far in the Colts passing game. However, this thesis is threatened by potential free agent signings of Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs, or Debo Samuel, which would signal the Colts are unhappy with Downs on the outside or want to rotate more, affecting his route share and target opportunity.