BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 9% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: Josh Downs has been one of our top waiver wire picks every week this season, and his rostered percentage has gradually risen from 1% to 11% in Week 4 before it went down to 9% last week after a quiet performance against the Rams. Well, it seems like the people who gave up on him made a big mistake.
Downs exploded against the Titans, as he finished with 97 yards receiving on six catches. He ranked as the WR18 in Week 5 and has been garnering attention all around the league as more people have started to watch the Colts due to Jonathan Taylor's return.
Josh Downs averaged 5.19 separation yards. The league average is 2.94 yards. pic.twitter.com/hDBkbWQFRx
— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) October 8, 2023
Downs' fantasy output will also benefit in the coming weeks due to Anthony Richardson's injury. Richardson is set to miss a month or more and he typically supplies a lower passing volume compared to his replacement, Gardner Minshew.
Minshew loves forcing throws to his top receivers, and while that makes him predictable, this is fantasy football we're talking about. The more catches and targets, the better. Remember DJ Chark Jr.? He unexpectedly finished as the WR17 in 2019 as he caught 73 passes for 1,008 yards with Minshew throwing him the football.
The next few matchups will be difficult for the Colts, but Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. will keep being thrown at by Minshew and his aggressive play style. Downs was targeted 12 times and finished with 13.7 PPR points against a dominant Ravens defense (second in the least points allowed per drive) in Minshew's lone start this season. The other games might be tough, but won't be as tough as the Ravens game. He produced in that game and will keep getting better. Get him while you still can.
More Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Kadarius Toney Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – Super Bowl 58 Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Consider in Large-Field GPPs POSITIONAL VALUE: WR/Flex DFS Dart Throw ANALYSIS: Kadarius Toney is perhaps the biggest wild card of the Super Bowl LVIII matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The mercurial wide receiver has battled injury issues and controversy off the field, as well as drops and ineffectiveness... Read More
Stefon Diggs Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR1 ANALYSIS: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs was the WR10 during the regular season, averaging 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar wide receiver started the year on fire but tailed off towards the end. He scored fewer than 6.9 fantasy points in... Read More
Jayden Reed Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed had low expectations entering the season. Many thought the Packers’ passing attack would suffer without Aaron Rodgers. Instead, the rookie wide receiver was a fantasy star. Reed was the WR23 during the regular season, averaging 11.6 half-point... Read More
Chris Godwin Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin had a slightly disappointing year. The former Penn State star was the WR31, averaging 9.9. half-point PPR fantasy points per game during the regular season. Mike Evans had a massive year as Baker Mayfield’s go-to target, leaving... Read More
Brandin Cooks Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Low-end WR2 ANALYSIS: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks had a solid regular season. The veteran was the WR36, averaging 9.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he struggled early in the year, Cooks picked up his play when it mattered most for the Cowboys.... Read More
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!