Who Should I Start? Khalil Shakir or Josh Downs

Friday, September 26, 2:17 PM

Buffalo Bills slot receiver Khalil Shakir found the end zone for the first time this season in a win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. Shakir also hauled in all four passes thrown his way for 45 yards, though it's alarming for fantasy managers that he combined for just six targets over the past two games. He averaged a little under seven per contest during a career year last season. While it's still early, Shakir is nowhere near his 2024 pace in catches, targets, or yards. He's now heading into a Week 4 matchup against a New Orleans defense that has given up the 11th-most fantasy points to receivers this year. The Saints had difficulty slowing down the Seattle Seahawks' top WR, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, in a blowout loss last week, as he tallied five catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Shakir has never been a major TD threat, however, which makes it imperative for his targets to increase to 2024 levels if he's going to pay dividends for fantasy managers. Until that happens, it's tough to rely on Shakir, who's going into Sunday as RotoBaller's 40th-ranked WR.

Saturday, September 27, 8:49 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is off to a quiet start to the season, catching 10 passes for 97 scoreless yards through three games. As emerging as the Colts' top option in 2024, the slot receiver has taken a backseat to Michael Pittman Jr. and Tyler Warren in the team's passing attack with quarterback Daniel Jones under center. That being said, he could see more work come his way with Alec Pierce (concussion) already ruled out for Week 4. Downs will look to get on track in a road matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. The Rams are allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to receivers this season. Downs sets up as a middling flex option in fantasy this weekend with the hope that he sees more targets with Pierce unavailable.