Should I Draft Josh Downs or Michael Pittman Jr. for Fantasy Football? Who is the Colts WR1 for 2025?

Should you draft Josh Downs or Michael Pittman Jr. in 2025 fantasy football drafts? Mike tells you which Colts wide receiver to draft this season.

The 2024 Indianapolis Colts had one of the more inconsistent passing attacks in the NFL. Anthony Richardson struggled with accuracy, while Joe Flacco wasn’t a better option.

Therefore, fantasy players understand why the Colts didn’t have a reliable starting pass catcher on the roster. While the team replaced Flacco with Daniel Jones this offseason, fantasy players still have low expectations for Indianapolis’ passing attack in 2025.

Furthermore, the Colts used their first-round pick in the NFL Draft on Tyler Warren. Therefore, which Indianapolis wide receiver should fantasy players draft in 2025? Let’s dive into the fantasy football outlook for Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings
• 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
• Best ball fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings

Josh Downs 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook

Downs was the WR36 in 2024, averaging 10.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The third-year pro did see an uptick in targets per game from his rookie season (7.6 vs. 5.8). Furthermore, Downs is the team’s best option in the slot, making him arguably the Colts’ most unique weapon in the passing game.

WHAT A CATCH BY JOSH DOWNS.

📺: #INDvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/1WMCZDj8G3

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024

Michael Pittman Jr. 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook

Pittman was the WR43 last season, averaging 8.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Last year’s average was his lowest mark since averaging 6.1 fantasy points per game as a rookie. Unfortunately, Pittman needs a high target volume to have consistent fantasy success. The veteran had 111 targets last season after totaling 141 or more in each of the previous two.

Flacco to MPJ! @Colts fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.

📺: #INDvsNYG on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/hTHnVoLBOb

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024

Who is the WR1 for the Indianapolis Colts?

Fantasy players should avoid drafting anyone in the Colts’ passing attack. Richardson and Jones were two of the NFL’s least accurate quarterbacks in 2024. Now they compete for a starting job on an offense loaded with talent.

Indianapolis has used a Day 2 pick on a wide receiver in four of the past six NFL Drafts, selecting Pittman in 2020, Alec Pierce in 2022, Downs in 2023, and Adonai Mitchell last year. More importantly, the team finally has a star at tight end after drafting Warren.

If fantasy players want to draft a Colts wide receiver, Downs is the best option. He led the team in targets (7.6) and fantasy points (10.5) per game. Furthermore, the former North Carolina star is Indianapolis’ only true slot receiver on the roster.

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