Who Should I Start? Josh Downs or Kayshon Boutte

Friday, November 22, 6:30 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs leads his team in targets (71) and yards per game (63.0). Quarterback Anthony Richardson looked his way five times in Week 11 and Downs caught all five balls for 84 yards and a touchdown. Coming into the contest with a 44.4% completion rate, there were concerns about Richardson's ability to get his receivers the ball, but he proved that he could still do it, even against a strong Jets pass defense (20-for-30, 66.7%). The Colts are seven-point underdogs for Sunday's contest against the Lions so there should be plenty of opportunities for Downs as the offense tries to keep pace with Detroit. With five catches in six of nine games played and the clear No. 1 receiver, the former third-round draft pick has a pretty reliable floor. The second-year pro sets up as a back-end WR2 this week with some small upside given his ability to find the zone (four TDs in 2024).

Friday, November 22, 10:22 AM

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte hasn't quite cracked the top 40 fantasy options since Week 6, but he has been one of the more consistent pass-catchers over the last four weeks. During his most recent four-game stretch, Boutte has six targets in every contest, totaling 13 catches, 144 yards, and zero touchdowns. When he last faced Miami in Week 5, he caught two passes for 34 yards. The second-year receiver out of LSU is widely regarded as a deep-threat receiver, boasting a low floor and high ceiling. Miami has allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this year, but that number is likely skewed from the four-game stretch for which Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined; during that span, opponents adopted a run-heavy approach against the Dolphins and did not have to develop an overly aggressive passing attack. This Miami team allowed Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp to combine for 16 catches and 178 yards just two weeks ago. Boutte isn't on the same level as either Rams receiver, nor does he play the same role, but the bottom line is that the Dolphins have shown they aren't going to shut down every pass-catcher they face. Boutte checks in as a low-end WR4 in deeper formats, such as 14-team leagues.