Who Should I Start? Josh Downs or Matthew Golden

Tuesday, October 7, 7:42 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs turned in his best game of the season in a Week 5 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Downs caught six of his eight targets for a season-high 54 yards in a 40-6 blowout win on Sunday. The veteran wideout has been quiet to start the season, but he will hope his performance is a springboard to a larger role going forward. Downs will now prepare to host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6. The Cardinals are allowing just the 20th-most fantasy points per game this year, but Downs should stay involved with Alec Pierce (concussion) expected to miss a third-straight game. Downs sets up as a WR5/flex option heading into Week 6.

Tuesday, October 7, 3:45 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden has seen an incremental upward trajectory over the past several weeks for the Packers and for fantasy managers. Golden is coming off his best week yet, with a season-high six targets, plus five receptions for 58 yards. He's also starting to see the field regularly with route shares of 82 percent and 72 percent in his last two games. In addition, Golden's first-read target shares have increased substantially, going from three total first-read targets in the first two weeks of the season to nine in the next two contests. Interestingly, Golden was used much more in the slot in Week 4, flipping his role with Dontayvion Wicks, who had been used in the slot more since Jayden Reed (clavicle, foot) was injured. That could prove to be a launching point to get Golden in more jet motion and use him in space for YAC opportunities. After the Packers' bye in Week 5, Green Bay hosts the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6. With the continued upward climb of Golden, he's a big-time upside flex play for fantasy managers this week.