Who Should I Start? Cooper Kupp or Josh Downs

Saturday, June 29, 1:27 PM

ESPN's Sarah Barshop lists Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp as one of the team's most surprising offseason standouts, which even she admits is odd. Kupp, who was the 2021 receiving triple-crown winner, has played through significant injuries in each of the past two seasons. He finished 2023 with 59 catches for 737 yards and five touchdowns, his fewest receiving yards since 2018, when he played in only eight games. However, Kupp is healthy this offseason, and it showed on the practice field. Head coach Sean McVay said during organized team activities that he doesn't think "anyone really understands the amount of things [Kupp was] working through last season" with his injury and that the receiver has been able to build his body "from the ground up." Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting the 2021 version of Kupp anymore, especially with Puka Nacua in the fold, but if he's healthy, he can still deliver value as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3 in 2024.

Sunday, January 7, 1:59 AM

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught all three of his targets for 48 yards in the team's 23-19 loss to the Houston Texans. Downs led all Colts pass-catchers in yards and caught the team's longest pass-attempt when he reeled in a 28-yard catch. Downs finishes his rookie campaign with 771 yards on 68 catches and two touchdowns. With their Week 18 loss, the Colts are now eliminated from playoff contention.