Who Should I Start? Terry McLaurin or Josh Downs

Tuesday, January 28, 4:39 PM

The Athletic's Ben Standig writes that Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin's agent is expected to seek a new deal for the second-team All-Pro pass-catcher this offseason after recording his fifth straight 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024. In 17 regular-season games, McLaurin had 82 receptions on 117 targets for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns as rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels elevated the entire offense. McLaurin added 14 catches on 23 targets for 227 yards and three touchdowns in the team's three playoff games. Going into the 2025 campaign, McLaurin's seventh in the league, he will be much more expensive in fantasy drafts as a WR1 after Daniels' impressive rookie season. In his six years in the NFL, McLaurin has 38 total touchdowns in 97 regular-season games and is averaging 65.8 yards per game.

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.