Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Josh Downs

Tuesday, November 4, 9:45 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has not yet played this season as he recovers from the devastating knee injury he suffered seven games into his 2024 campaign. Aiyuk appears to be multiple weeks away from a return, as the team is not opening his 21-day practice window ahead of its Week 10 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. In his last healthy season in 2023, Aiyuk recorded 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 targets across 16 games. There's no questioning the 27-year-old's ability to be productive when he's on the field; it's just a matter of when Aiyuk's knee will be healthy enough for him to return. Fantasy managers should have minimal expectations for Aiyuk's 2025 production. Still, in leagues with IR spots, Aiyuk could be a low-risk flier worth stashing.

Tuesday, November 4, 10:49 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been a key piece of the offense all season and has now scored in three consecutive games. Downs caught six of nine targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Colts' 27-20 loss to the Steelers in Week 9, tying with Alec Pierce for second on the team in receptions. The 24-year-old has now recorded at least six receptions in three of his last four games and has become Daniel Jones' favorite target on third downs, leading the team with a 30% targets per route run. For the season, Downs' production has been overshadowed by Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Tyler Warren, and lately, Alec Pierce, but he's still an integral piece of the vaunted Colts offense. Downs is a solid WR3/flex option in most weeks, and with plenty of bye weeks still to come, he is a solid option to add off the waiver wire for Week 10.