Who Should I Start? Jordan Addison or Josh Downs

Friday, October 31, 4:48 PM

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison remains a quality WR3/flex option when his team takes on the Detroit Lions in a Week 9 meeting of NFC North foes. It remains to be seen how the USC product meshes with starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, with whom Addison has never appeared in a regular-season game. McCarthy has played in just two games since the start of 2024, and Addison was suspended for both of them. Addison has a decent matchup against a Lions team that has surrendered 14 passing touchdowns in seven games, which is one of the worst marks in the league, but Minnesota has had major issues protecting the quarterback. The Vikings rank 31st in sack rate and managed a miserable 47 plays last week in a loss to the L.A. Chargers, though Addison accounted for the team's only touchdown. Addison has shown steady fantasy appeal this season, giving managers reason to believe he can perform even in the midst of the Vikings' struggles.

Saturday, November 1, 9:53 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip) practiced fully on Thursday and Friday after missing his team's Wednesday practice and is listed without an injury designation heading into a Week 9 road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Downs will look to build upon an encouraging Week 8 outing that saw him haul in all three of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Tennessee Titans. He has a great matchup on tap as the Steelers are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season. Downs has been overtaken in the passing-game pecking order by Michael Pittman Jr., but he remains a solid WR3/flex option in fantasy in this prime matchup on Sunday.