Who Should I Start? Josh Downs or Parker Washington
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 4.3 | 44.6 | 0.2 |
Josh Downs News
Wednesday, July 15, 10:02 AM
The Athletic's James Boyd lists Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs as a breakout candidate in 2026 after the departures of Adonai Mitchell and Michael Pittman Jr., who were traded to the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively. Alec Pierce (ankle) is also recovering from offseason surgery that could slow him down early on. Downs is an established receiver in the NFL, having recorded 2,140 yards and 11 touchdowns on 198 receptions in his three years in the league. However, the 24-year-old former third-rounder from the University of North Carolina in 2023 is coming off a career-low 566 receiving yards in 2025. Downs should have more opportunities in his fourth year in the NFL, though, and he'll be motivated as he enters a contract year if he plans on cashing in next offseason on the free-agent market. There's more risk in the Colts' offense as a whole with quarterback Daniel Jones coming off a torn Achilles tendon, the increase in route share and per-route target rate should be enough to put Downs on fantasy managers' radars as a great value pick in the later rounds of drafts. RotoBaller currently has Downs ranked as the No. 42 fantasy WR for 2026.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.6 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 3.8 | 50.3 | 0.3 |
Parker Washington News
Friday, June 26, 7:28 PM
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said shortly after the 2025 season ended that the team had started preliminary contract-extension discussions with wide receiver Parker Washington and tight end Brenton Strange, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN. The Jags agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $48 million ($25 million guaranteed) with Strange on Wednesday. Washington, 24, stepped up in a big way in 2025 after injuries to rookie Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr., finishing with 58 receptions on 95 targets for 847 yards and five touchdowns in 16 regular-season games (seven starts) in his third year in the NFL. DiRocco thinks that Washington fits right into a current group of seven wideouts in the NFL that make between $16 and $18 million. A potential new deal for Washington could be for three years and $53 million, with between $25 and $30 million guaranteed. Washington's breakout has lessened Jacksonville's need to use Hunter on offense in his second season in 2026. RotoBaller currently has Washington ranked as the No. 34 fantasy wideout, and he should once again be a go-to target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Josh Downs vs. Parker Washington
Still trying to decide between Downs and Washington? 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 10.3 points this week while Parker Washington is projected to score 10.6 points.
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