Who Should I Start? Alec Pierce or Josh Downs

Tuesday, February 10, 2:06 PM

ESPN's Ryan McFadden writes that the Las Vegas Raiders will need to add a top wide receiver who can take attention away from tight end Brock Bowers, and Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce and Seattle Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed could be targets in free agency. Shaheed is an obvious fit because of his familiarity with new head coach Klint Kubiak's system from their time in Seattle in 2025, and he can provide additional value as a kick returner on special teams. Tre Tucker and Tyler Lockett ended last season as the Raiders' top wideouts following the midseason trade of Jakobi Meyers. Pierce, 25, led the Colts with 47 catches, 1,003 yards, and six touchdowns in 15 games last year, although he could receive the franchise tag. Shaheed, 27, only caught 15 passes for 188 yards and no touchdowns in nine regular-season games with the Seahawks after being acquired from the Saints, and he'd be a questionable fit with a rookie quarterback.

Thursday, January 29, 5:39 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs followed up a solid second season in the NFL with his worst yet in Year 3. Downs had career-lows in receptions (58), targets (88), and receiving yards (566) while scoring four touchdowns in 16 games played. The 24-year-old pass-catcher also had a career-low 9.8 yards per catch as he operated as the team's No. 3 receiver behind Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr. Even with quarterback Daniel Jones having a career resurgence before his season-ending torn Achilles tendon in the second half, Downs was unable to take advantage. He never clicked with Jones in the passing attack, and it didn't help that rookie tight end Tyler Warren caught 76 passes for 817 yards. Unless Indy releases Pittman this offseason to give Downs a clearer path to consistent targets, he won't be much more than a late-round dart throw with limited upside in 2026 fantasy drafts.