Who Should I Start? Alec Pierce or Josh Downs

Monday, November 3, 10:59 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce recorded six catches for 115 yards on a career-high 13 targets in his team's Week 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pierce has now earned double-digit targets in two out of his last three games and has reached at least 67 receiving yards in five out of the seven games he's been healthy for this season. The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the NFL's premier downfield weapons, as he's currently leading the league in yards per reception (20.9) for the second straight season. Additionally, Pierce's recent bump in target volume could be a sign that the Colts are trusting him to be a more well-rounded wide receiver. It's worth noting that Colts quarterback Daniel Jones attempted 50 passes in Week 9, a trend unlikely to continue. Still, Pierce profiles as a high-upside fantasy WR3/4 and could be a player to target on the waiver wire heading into a Week 10 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

Saturday, November 1, 9:53 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip) practiced fully on Thursday and Friday after missing his team's Wednesday practice and is listed without an injury designation heading into a Week 9 road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Downs will look to build upon an encouraging Week 8 outing that saw him haul in all three of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Tennessee Titans. He has a great matchup on tap as the Steelers are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season. Downs has been overtaken in the passing-game pecking order by Michael Pittman Jr., but he remains a solid WR3/flex option in fantasy in this prime matchup on Sunday.