Who Should I Start? Josh Downs or De'Zhaun Stribling


Week 2 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
9.8 0.4 0.0 4.1 44.1 0.2

Josh Downs News

Josh Downs is an Intriguing Option for Deep Leagues in Week 1

Saturday, September 12, 12:34 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (calf) practiced in full all week and looks to put his minor training camp injury behind him as he goes into Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. Admittedly, Downs is coming off a rough 2025 season, setting career lows in receiving yards (566), targets (88), and receptions (58). Even though Michael Pittman Jr. moved on during the offseason, Downs will still share targets with freshly acquired veteran Keenan Allen and Alec Pierce (heel), with the latter possibly being on a snap count in Week 1. Downs showed promise last year between Weeks 6 and 9 with quarterback Daniel Jones, finishing as a WR2 in each week except for Week 7 when he was ruled out due to a concussion. Looking to this Sunday, Downs has a decent matchup against the Ravens defense, which ranked in the bottom five against wide receivers last year. However, the Ravens defense got a massive overhaul in the offseason and will almost certainly show different schemes this year under new head coach Jesse Minter. This week, Downs is Rotoballer's WR33, placing him firmly in WR3/low-end flex territory, but with high upside.


Week 2 Projections

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

De'Zhaun Stribling News

De'Zhaun Stribling Out Around 10 Weeks After Ankle Surgery

Wednesday, September 16, 11:54 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) underwent surgery Wednesday and is expected to miss around 10 weeks, according to Cam Inman. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers are still hoping Stribling can make it back before the season ends. The rookie had already been placed on injured reserve after suffering a deltoid sprain in the season-opening win over the Rams, but the original outlook was considerably shorter before surgery became necessary. Stribling played 21 offensive snaps in his NFL debut and did not draw a target before leaving. San Francisco used the 33rd overall pick on him in April, so the long-term interest hasn't gone anywhere, but most redraft managers don't need to wait through a 10-week absence. He remains an easy hold in dynasty leagues while the 49ers hope to get him back late in the season.


Josh Downs vs. De'Zhaun Stribling

Still trying to decide between Downs and Stribling? 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 9.8 points this week while De'Zhaun Stribling is projected to score 0.0 points.