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Should I Start Josh Downs in Week 17? Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks

Josh Downs - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News Updates

Should I start or sit Josh Downs for fantasy football in Week 17? Read our fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks and fantasy lineup recommendations.

Indianapolis Colts second-year widout Josh Downs has produced spike weeks this season, and with Joe Flacco starting at QB this week, Downs gets a boost to his floor and ceiling. The North Carolina product hasn't been a fantasy superstar, but he's been a fringe flex option all year.

Anthony Richardson's struggles as a passer have been frustrating for all Colts' pass-catchers, but Flacco was not much better the last time we saw him. With fantasy football championships on the line, fantasy managers are surely wondering whether Downs is worth the dice roll in Week 17.

What is Downs' fantasy football outlook? Should you start him against the New York Giants? Let's dive in.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Josh Downs Fantasy Football Outlook

Downs has averaged just over 13 half-PPR fantasy points in the five contests Flacco acted as the team's primary quarterback. We saw Flacco support monster games from Amari Cooper and David Njoku last year in Cleveland, and he's helped the Colts' pass-catchers post big weeks in 2024.

The New York Giants present a neutral matchup for fantasy wideouts, so that's not much of a factor in this decision. Ultimately, Indianapolis would likely prefer to lean on running back Jonathan Taylor in the ground game and win like they did last week with minimal action through the air.

All that said, Downs checks in as a Tier 5 wide receiver for Week 17 and is in the WR34 chair in our half-PPR rankings.

 

Should I Start Josh Downs in Week 17?

If you made it to the championship matchup in a league of 12 or fewer teams, there's a good chance you have stronger wideout or flex options than Downs. That said, he's a fine WR3 of flex piece if you're in a pinch. Fantasy managers are without key players like Jaylen Waddle, CeeDee Lamb, and Chuba Hubbard this week, so Downs is a candidate to replace one of those players.


While it would be a shocker if the Colts-Giants game is high-scoring, Downs can produce fantasy points in bunches with either a ton of receptions or a couple of big plays. Flacco isn't shy about letting the football rip downfield, so hopefully, Downs is on the receiving end of one of his deep throws.

 

Popular Week 17 Searches - Start/Sit Comparisons

Below are some popular Week 17 searches and comparisons from our Who To Start tool for Josh Downs compared to others. You can also use the free Who Should I Start tool to run your own start/sit comparisons, up to four players at once:

Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
Adam Thielen or Josh Downs
Jayden Reed or Josh Downs
Darnell Mooney or Josh Downs
Deebo Samuelsr or Josh Downs
Rico Dowdle or Josh Downs
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Raheem Mostert or Josh Downs
Adam Thielen or Josh Downs
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Jakobi Meyers or Josh Downs
Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
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Jerome Ford or Josh Downs
Jordan Addison or Josh Downs
Romeo Doubs or Josh Downs
Tyjae Spears or Josh Downs
Tyreek Hill or Josh Downs
Tyrone Tracyjr or Josh Downs
Aaron Jones or Josh Downs
Aaron Jones or Josh Downs
Adam Thielen or Josh Downs
Ameer Abdullah or Josh Downs
Ameer Abdullah or Josh Downs
Calvin Ridley or Josh Downs
Calvin Ridley or Josh Downs
Christian Watson or Josh Downs
Courtland Sutton or Josh Downs
Davante Adams or Josh Downs
Devonta Smith or Josh Downs
Drake London or Josh Downs
Garrett Wilson or Josh Downs
Isaac Guerendo or Josh Downs
Isaac Guerendo or Josh Downs
Isaac Guerendo or Josh Downs
Jakobi Meyers or Josh Downs
Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
Jalen Mcmillan or Josh Downs
Jameson Williams or Josh Downs
Jauan Jennings or Josh Downs
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Jauan Jennings or Josh Downs
Javonte Williams or Josh Downs
Jayden Reed or Josh Downs
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Malik Nabers or Josh Downs
Marvin Harrisonjr or Josh Downs
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Nico Collins or Josh Downs
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Wandale Robinson or Josh Downs
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Jauan Jennings or Josh Downs
Jayden Reed or Josh Downs
Rico Dowdle or Josh Downs



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