Who Should I Start? Josh Downs or Calvin Austin III


Week 1 Projections

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0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Josh Downs News

Josh Downs Headed for More Targets in 2026?

Tuesday, March 31, 6:08 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is a strong candidate to earn more targets during the 2026 season. The Colts traded away Michael Pittman Jr. earlier this month, bumping Downs up to No. 2 on the depth chart. He might not be as heavily involved as Alec Pierce, who just fetched a $114 million deal, but he still has a chance to surpass his previous career-high of 107 targets. He was just the WR51 in half-PPR leagues with Daniel Jones (Achilles) healthy, but he also missed two games during that window. On a more compelling note, he caught at least six passes in four of his first eight games last season, adding three touchdowns along the way. Pittman's 111 vacated targets have to go somewhere. Presumably, they'll mostly be split among Pierce, Downs, and Tyler Warren. We wouldn't be surprised to see Downs return to his 2024 form, which included a top-36 finish at the wide receiver position in fantasy football. He's an intriguing buy-low in dynasty leagues as he takes on a larger role and gets his quarterback back from injury.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Calvin Austin III News

Giants Sign Calvin Austin III

Thursday, March 12, 2:51 PM

The New York Giants have signed wide receiver Calvin Austin III to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Austin hit free agency earlier this week upon the expiration of his four-year rookie contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former fourth-round pick entered the 2025 season with high expectations, given his role as the team's No. 2 wide receiver in a potentially pass-heavy offense. That never really came to fruition, though, as Austin finished the year with just 31 catches, 372 yards, and three touchdowns across 14 games. The Giants will rely on him and Darius Slayton to fill a depth role behind superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) next season. Austin is more of a low-floor, high-ceiling receiver, so while he should be rostered in most dynasty and many redraft leagues, he won't be a weekly fantasy starter in 2026.


Josh Downs vs. Calvin Austin III

Still trying to decide between Downs and Austin III? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Josh Downs is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Calvin Austin III is projected to score 0.0 points.