Who Should I Start? Kyle Philips or Josh Downs

Tuesday, February 18, 8:54 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders signed free-agent wide receiver Kyle Philips to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. Philips, a former fifth-round selection by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 out of UCLA will head to the AFC West after spending all of the 2024 campaign on the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2022 and 2023, he caught only 23 of 35 targets for 259 yards and no touchdowns in 13 games played (no starts). The 25-year-old pass-catcher also saw time on special teams as a kickoff and punt returner, which will probably be his best path to a roster spot with the Raiders. Philips will be reuniting with his old head coach at UCLA in Chip Kelly, who is now the Raiders' offensive coordinator under new head coach Pete Carroll. Philips's familiarity with Kelly won't guarantee him a roster spot out of training camp, though.

Wednesday, December 10, 12:17 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs hasn't been a big fantasy factor this season, recording 44 receptions for 393 yards and three touchdowns on 65 targets. After a promising sophomore campaign last year, Downs hasn't been emphasized with three other talented pass-catchers in the Colts' offense, plus a lean towards the run with a superstar back Jonathan Taylor. With quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) out for the season and 44-year-old Philip Rivers expected to be the team's starter moving forward, it's possible that Downs' opportunities will increase with Rivers primarily operating in the short area of the field. The 24-year-old's fantasy upside is still capped while being limited to routes in three-wide receiver sets. Downs still profiles as a deep-league flex option for a tough Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but his floor is probably lower now with Jones done for the year.