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Should I drop Josh Downs for fantasy football Week 4? Is Josh Downs a safe player to cut? Read the fantasy football waivers outlook.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs looked primed to have another solid season heading into 2025. He racked up 1,574 receiving yards over his first two years in the NFL, and with veteran Daniel Jones throwing to him instead of scattershot youngster Anthony Richardson, many probably thought Downs could break the 900-yard mark and have his best season yet.
But while the Colts have won their first three games and the offense is clicking on all cylinders, Downs’ fantasy value has plummeted. He has only managed 10 catches for 97 yards and no touchdowns, much lower numbers than the other prime pass catchers on the team.
Daniel Jones crossbody to Josh Downs 🎯pic.twitter.com/FvxpsLSVv6
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So should fantasy managers call it quits with Downs? Here is my take:
Should I Drop Josh Downs in Fantasy Football?
Downs already had a target problem in Indianapolis because he was splitting them almost evenly with wideout teammates Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. Then things got worse when the Colts drafted tight end Tyler Warren in the first round. Warren was not brought in just to block.
Warren and Pittman Jr. have more targets than Downs and have twice the yardage this year, while Pierce has one less target and catch but has 74 more yards to show for the passes thrown his direction. Downs has probably fallen down to the fourth man on the target totem pole, and that is not good on a run-first team led by top tailback Jonathan Taylor.
It is certainly safe to drop Downs and pick up another receiver. Downs’ fantasy worth will only rebound if an unfortunate injury causes Pittman, Pierce or Warren to miss games and allows Downs more opportunities and targets. There are better available options in your league on the waiver wire. Here are a couple of names to consider:
Who Should I Pickup for Fantasy Football?
Tyquan Thornton, Kansas City Chiefs
While “Hollywood” Brown looks like he has lost a couple of steps, and so has tight end Travis Kelce, Tyquan Thornton has emerged as the one bonafide deep threat Patrick Mahomes has to throw to these days. He has nine receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns and has been Mahomes’ go-to guy downfield while receivers Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice sit out.
Tyquan Thornton IMMEDIATELY let everyone know he caught it ☝️😂 pic.twitter.com/1p32M314J6
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 22, 2025
You will have to keep an eye on the injury report this week to see if Worthy’s bum shoulder heals in time for him to suit up, but if not, Thornton is definitely worth a look-see in a home game against a Baltimore Ravens defense that is reeling.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
Romeo Doubs has not exactly been the second coming of Sterling Sharpe in the early going (7-121-1), but he has a couple of major things going for him heading into Week 4. Green Bay’s receiving corps has been torn apart due to the injuries suffered by stalwarts Jayden Reed and Christian Watson. First-round rookie Matthew Golden has gotten off to a slower start than Doubs as he learns how to run routes in the NFL. So, besides talented tight end Tucker Kraft, Doubs is the next in line for Jordan Love targets at the moment.
The other thing going in Doubs’ favor is that he faces the worst pass defense in the NFL this week. The Dallas Cowboys have made New York’s Russell Wilson and Chicago’s Caleb Williams look like Pro Bowlers in the back-to-back weeks, and they have shown no penchant for covering any receivers. Doubs could have a big game against the Boys as the Packers' passing attack looks to bounce back after its Week 3 debacle in Cleveland.
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pickup off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:
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Who Should I Pickup? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Tyquan Thornton, Romeo Doubs, Luther Burden III, Darnell Mooney, Troy Franklin, and Cedric Tillman. But not to worry, we are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2025. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2025. Our free Who Should I Pickup? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pickup... all free! Make the right decisions.
2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on players like Tyquan Thornton, Romeo Doubs, Luther Burden III, Darnell Mooney, Troy Franklin, and Cedric Tillman. They are some of the most common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player name. In the second box, search for the second player name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy football rankings, projections, and more.
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How It Works. Our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football waiver wire rankings and projections based on their research, and updates them constantly throughout the week. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Tyquan Thornton, Romeo Doubs, Luther Burden III, Darnell Mooney, Troy Franklin, and Cedric Tillman:
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