Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Josh Downs

Wednesday, November 26, 12:45 AM

Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks signed with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday and figures to immediately factor into the Bills' plan at wide receiver in some capacity. The Bills have been tinkering with their wide receivers on the roster over the past few weeks, trying to find the right combination on the field. They signed the former Buffalo Bill Gabe Davis back to the roster along with former Kansas City Chiefs wideout Mecole Hardman, but then he was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury. Second-year wideout Keon Coleman has served as a healthy inactive for the past two games for disciplinary reasons. Cooks will have an opportunity to make an impact, although it will take him some time to get up to speed. The veteran hasn't shown much in the past two seasons with the Saints and Cowboys, but he isn't too far removed from a solid 2023 season with the Cowboys, where he recorded 54 receptions for 657 yards and eight touchdowns on eight targets in 16 games. Cooks could be worth monitoring over the next few weeks to see how he is integrated into the offense.

Saturday, December 27, 2:34 PM

Across 14 games this season, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has recorded 52 receptions for 471 yards and four touchdowns on 79 targets. With an average of just 9.1 yards per reception, Downs lacks big-play upside. However, he's been a steady target-earner, recording at least five targets in six out of his last seven games. In Week 16, his second game this season playing with veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, Downs tied his season high with nine targets and hauled in five catches for 65 yards against the San Francisco 49ers. In Week 17, Downs and the Colts will face the Jacksonville Jaguars. Entering the week, Jacksonville's defense ranks 18th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (3,492) and 27th in passing touchdowns allowed (26). The Jaguars held Downs to four catches for 23 yards on five in the first matchup of the season between the two teams in Week 14. Downs profiles as a high-floor, low-ceiling flex option for fantasy managers in Week 17 against Jacksonville.