Who Should I Start? Jordan Addison or Josh Downs

Friday, December 12, 4:20 PM

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (Achilles) should be considered a high-risk, high-reward WR3/flex candidate with the Vikings set to travel to Dallas in Week 15. Minnesota's typically dangerous passing game has taken a significant step back in 2025 as second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy has faced both injuries and periods of struggle, prompting the Vikings to simplify the offense and prioritize their running attack. McCarthy has favored Addison, however, as the receiver has 17 targets in the past two weeks. That offers breakout potential against a Dallas defense that ranks 30th in net yards per attempt allowed, 32nd in passing touchdowns allowed, and 32nd against fantasy wide receivers. Off the injury report and now facing a quality matchup, Addison has a pathway to a big week, albeit with risk, given the Vikings' offensive volatility this year.

Tuesday, December 16, 12:43 PM

In 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers' first NFL game in five years with the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday's 18-16 loss to the hosting Seattle Seahawks, wide receiver Josh Downs caught his lone touchdown pass. Downs played a season-high 72% of the offensive snaps in Week 15 in Rivers' first game replacing Daniel Jones, who is out for the year with a torn Achilles. The 24-year-old wideout was tied for second on the team with five targets, catching three of them for only 13 yards and his fourth touchdown of the year. All in all, it wasn't anything special for fantasy football production, but it was notable that Downs tied Michael Pittman Jr. in targets, with Alec Pierce seeing just one look from Rivers. With Rivers shotputting balls to his receivers, Downs could become a more attractive short-area target over Pierce to close out the season, making him worth a look off the waiver wire as WR depth. Downs is rostered in 43% of Yahoo leagues.