Who Should I Start? Chris Conley or Josh Downs

Sunday, January 5, 11:14 PM

Wide receiver Chris Conley had one of his best games as a San Francisco 49er during a 47-24 loss to the Cardinals in Arizona on Sunday. The 32-year-old journeyman caught all four targets for 59 yards receiving from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The yardage and reception totals more than doubled Conley's 2024 production entering Week 18. Conley's stat line looks very similar to his only other productive game with San Francisco, which came on the final game of last season (three receptions for 69 yards). Over his 10-year career so far, Conley has amassed 226 receptions for 2,998 yards and 15 touchdowns. Conley will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and will likely be off the fantasy radar wherever he lands.

Sunday, January 5, 8:52 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught 10 of his 13 targets for 94 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts' passing attack has seen a significant boost ever since quarterback Joe Flacco took over for the injured Anthony Richardson (back), but Downs truly took his productivity to the next level during Sunday's season finale. He finishes the 2024 campaign with 72 catches, 803 yards, and five touchdowns. Each of these three marks represented season-highs, topping the totals he delivered as a rookie last year. Downs has firmly established himself as an appealing 1B option with the Colts, pairing nicely alongside their 1A receiver, Michael Pittman Jr. The UNC product will rank as a high-end WR3 when 2025 fantasy football drafts kick off next summer, and he has even greater appeal in dynasty leagues.