Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

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

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.8 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy play this season.

Cooper Kupp is the better play on a neutral week. 10.8 PPG with 748 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 Cooper Kupp 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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WRLos Angeles Rams#99PPG LEADER

Cooper Kupp

PPG

10.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

748

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Cooper Kupp

Josh Downs

Head to Head

10.8 PPG6.7 PPG

12 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Kupp: 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, Cooper Kupp is producing at 49% of elite pace and Josh Downs at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Cooper Kupp vs Josh Downs: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Cooper Kupp and Josh Downs for your lineup, you are not alone. Cooper Kupp finished the 2025 season at 10.8 PPG for the Los Angeles Rams (12 games), and Josh Downs averaged 6.7 for the Indianapolis Colts (16 games).

That 4.1-point weekly advantage for Cooper Kupp is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Cooper Kupp turned 92 targets into 748 yards and 5 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: Cooper Kupp sits Week 6 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

Cooper Kupp 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: Cooper Kupp (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?

•Cooper Kupp outscored Josh Downs by a projected 70 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Downs played 16 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Kupp's 12. That durability gap means Josh Downs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Cooper Kupp scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Cooper Kupp saw 92 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Kupp vs Josh Downs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Kupp	Josh Downs
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.8	6.7
Games Played	12	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	130	107
Receptions	62	58
Rec/Game	5.2	3.6
Receiving Yards	748	566
Rec Yds/Game	62.3	35.4
Receiving TDs	5	4
Targets	92	88
Target Share/Game	7.7	5.5
Age	-	24
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Cooper Kupp at 10.8 PPG, 4.1 points per game above Josh Downs's 6.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on 2025 season averages, Cooper Kupp has the edge at 10.8 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 Cooper Kupp and Josh Downs average in 2025?▾

Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Josh Downs averaged 6.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.1 points per game.

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

Cooper Kupp (LAR) has a bye in Week 6, and Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Cooper Kupp outscored Josh Downs by 4.1 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.