Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Amari Cooper vs Josh DownsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.2 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy play this season.

Amari Cooper is the better play on a neutral week. 11.2 PPG with 782 yards gives a reliable baseline. Josh Downs at 6.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Amari Cooper higher, but do not fade Josh Downs entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRBuffalo Bills#99PPG LEADER

Amari Cooper

PPG

11.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

782

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Amari Cooper

Josh Downs

Head to Head

11.2 PPG6.7 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Amari Cooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Amari Cooper is producing at 51% of elite pace and Josh Downs at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Amari Cooper vs Josh Downs: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Amari Cooper and Josh Downs is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Buffalo Bills wide receiver put up 11.2 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts averaged 6.7 in 16. A 4.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.5 points favors Amari Cooper, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Amari Cooper turned 95 targets into 782 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Josh Downs converted 88 looks into 566 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Amari Cooper sits Week 12 while Josh Downs is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Amari Cooper is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Josh Downs is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Amari Cooper (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Josh Downs (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Amari Cooper outscored Josh Downs by a projected 76 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Amari Cooper scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Amari Cooper saw 95 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Amari Cooper vs Josh Downs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Amari Cooper	Josh Downs
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.2	6.7
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	179	107
Receptions	65	58
Rec/Game	4.1	3.6
Receiving Yards	782	566
Rec Yds/Game	48.9	35.4
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	95	88
Target Share/Game	5.9	5.5
Age	-	24
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 14

Summary

11.2 PPG for Amari Cooper versus 6.7 for Josh Downs in 2025. The baseline favors Amari Cooper, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Amari Cooper or Josh Downs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Amari Cooper has the edge at 11.2 PPG compared to Josh Downs's 6.7 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Amari Cooper and Josh Downs average in 2025?▾

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Josh Downs averaged 6.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.5 points per game.

When are Amari Cooper and Josh Downs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper (BUF) has a bye in Week 12, and Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Amari Cooper or Josh Downs a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper outscored Josh Downs by 4.5 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.