Who Should I Start? Josh Downs or Xavier Legette

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, February 25, 10:25 PM

The Charlotte Observer's Xavier Legette (foot) avoided wrist surgery but did have foot surgery this offseason, according to general manager Dan Morgan. Legette played through a foot injury in his first year in the NFL in 2024, which likely played a part in his disappointing showing. After the Panthers selected him 32nd overall out of South Carolina, the 24-year-old struggled to get on the same page with second-year quarterback and caught only 49 of his 84 targets for 497 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts). Legette may be forced to miss organized team activities this spring, but he should be fully recovered from his foot surgery in time for the start of training camp this summer. He'll be looking to make a jump in Year 2 in Carolina, but the likely return of veteran Adam Thielen (he was contemplating retirement) could make things more difficult for the former first-rounder.