Who Should I Start? Josh Downs or Tank Dell

Sunday, January 5, 8:52 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught 10 of his 13 targets for 94 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts' passing attack has seen a significant boost ever since quarterback Joe Flacco took over for the injured Anthony Richardson (back), but Downs truly took his productivity to the next level during Sunday's season finale. He finishes the 2024 campaign with 72 catches, 803 yards, and five touchdowns. Each of these three marks represented season-highs, topping the totals he delivered as a rookie last year. Downs has firmly established himself as an appealing 1B option with the Colts, pairing nicely alongside their 1A receiver, Michael Pittman Jr. The UNC product will rank as a high-end WR3 when 2025 fantasy football drafts kick off next summer, and he has even greater appeal in dynasty leagues.

Tuesday, January 14, 12:03 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee), who suffered a dislocated left knee in addition to a torn ACL, MCL, and LCL and a damaged meniscus in the Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, will undergo one of multiple surgeries this offseason on Wednesday. It will obviously be a very long road to recovery for the second-year wideout after the devastating injury. Because of the timing of the injury late in the year and the extensive damage to his knee, it's highly unlikely that Dell will be ready to go for the start of the 2025 regular season this fall. "Unfortunately, it has to be considered career threatening, but we all hope not career-ending," orthopedic surgeon David Chao said. It's far from a guarantee that Dell will even be able to play again next year, which will obviously make him one to avoid in fantasy drafts. The 25-year-old finished with 51 catches, 667 yards and three TDs in his second season before the injury.