Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Josh Downs
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Brandon Aiyuk News
Wednesday, March 11, 8:38 AM
With the new league year starting on Wednesday, the San Francisco 49ers plan to release wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. If the move to release Aiyuk doesn't come on Wednesday, it should be soon. The Washington Commanders are the most likely landing spot for Aiyuk, most likely on a one-year, prove-it deal. The Niners are expected to use a post-June 1 designation on Aiyuk's release, which is why they had to wait until the start of the new league year. The former first-rounder will leave behind $13.325 million in dead-cap money in 2026 and $21.247 million in 2027, with the 49ers getting a credit of $4.987 million towards next year's salary cap. Aiyuk didn't make it far after signing a four-year, $120 million contract with San Fran in August of 2024, as he played in only seven games that year before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He didn't play at all in 2025 and will be a big unknown in fantasy football in Washington or wherever he ends up.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.8 | 26.9 | 0.1 |
Josh Downs News
Wednesday, March 4, 7:12 AM
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs was a popular breakout candidate heading into 2025, but it was ultimately his teammate, Alec Pierce, who took the next step and led the team with his first career 1,000-yard season. With Pierce now facing unrestricted free agency, it seems inevitable that a shakeup is coming to the Colts' wide receiver room. Should Pierce end up leaving for a top-of-market deal, a giant hole will be left atop the depth chart. However, for Downs' fantasy future, it might be more beneficial if Pierce stays in Indianapolis. Pierce and Downs play very different games, as evidenced by the 11.6-yard differential in their 2025 ADoT. For the Colts to retain Pierce likely means moving on from Michael Pittman Jr. and his $29 million cap hit, either through trade or release, which would represent a best-case scenario for Downs. Pittman has led the team in targets every season since 2021, with most of his looks coming in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field, also patrolled by Downs.
Brandon Aiyuk vs. Josh Downs
Still trying to decide between Aiyuk and Downs? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Brandon Aiyuk is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Josh Downs is projected to score 6.3 points.
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