Who Should I Start? Cooper Kupp or Josh Downs

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Week 1 Projections

Fant. Pts.	Rush. Yds.	Rush TD	Rec.	Rec. Yds.	Rec TD
5.9	0.0	0.0	2.1	27.3	0.2

Cooper Kupp News

Cooper Kupp Is Slipping Into Deep-Bench Territory

Friday, August 21, 8:56 AM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp is still running with the starters, but the fantasy case keeps getting thinner. He played 16 games last season and caught 47 passes for 593 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets. Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith-Njigba exploded for 119 catches and 1,793 yards, and Seattle has spent this summer talking about a bigger offensive role for Rashid Shaheed. Kupp has made plays in camp, including a one-handed grab from Sam Darnold, so this isn't about him suddenly looking finished. It's about volume. Seattle attempted only 481 passes last season, fourth-fewest in the NFL, and Kupp was already living on a modest target share before Shaheed's role started growing. RotoBaller has dropped Kupp to 222nd overall in its Aug. 19 PPR rankings. At 33, he can still give Seattle useful snaps and have the occasional fantasy week. There just isn't much pointing toward a return to steady starting value. Kupp looks more like deep bench depth than a receiver fantasy managers should be trying to force into drafts.

Josh Downs - Indianapolis (WR)

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Week 1 Projections

Fant. Pts.	Rush. Yds.	Rush TD	Rec.	Rec. Yds.	Rec TD
10.3	0.5	0.0	4.3	44.6	0.2

Josh Downs News

Josh Downs to Still See Usage in Two-Receiver Sets

Tuesday, August 18, 5:49 AM

Used primarily from the slot through the first three seasons of his career, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has seen extensive outside work throughout training camp, with a lack of positional depth leading to a projection of expanded usage in two-receiver sets. With the Colts signing veteran receiver Keenan Allen on Monday night, there is now reason to question how that plan may be affected, but Colts analyst Destin Adams believes Downs will still see the bulk of the work alongside Alec Pierce when two receivers are on the field, with Allen mixing in as needed. Then when the team moves to 11-personnel, Downs will kick inside while Allen mans the 'Z'. While Adams' assessment is reassuring for those calling for a Downs breakout, the impact that Allen had in making Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey one of fantasy's biggest disappointments in 2025 can not be overlooked, and Downs, who has been coming off the board as the WR43, is likely to see his ADP drop.

Cooper Kupp vs. Josh Downs

Still trying to decide between Kupp and Downs? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Cooper Kupp is projected to score 5.9 points this week while Josh Downs is projected to score 10.3 points.