Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

DJ Moore vs Josh DownsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start DJ Moore over Josh Downs in 2026.

DJ Moore averaged 8.7 PPG in 2025 to Josh Downs's 6.7, a 2.0 point per game edge. Both play wide receivers, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

DJ Moore is the better play on a neutral week. 8.7 PPG with 763 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 DJ Moore higher, but do not fade Josh Downs entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRChicago Bears#41PPG LEADER

DJ Moore

PPG

8.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

682

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

DJ Moore

Josh Downs

Head to Head

8.7 PPG6.7 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

DJ Moore: Tier 3 (Deep League) WR (ranked #41 at the position). Josh Downs: Unranked WR. Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DJ Moore is producing at 40% of elite pace and Josh Downs at 30%. That ranking gap means DJ Moore carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DJ Moore vs Josh Downs: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between DJ Moore and Josh Downs for your lineup, you are not alone. DJ Moore finished the 2025 season at 8.7 PPG for the Chicago Bears (17 games), and Josh Downs averaged 6.7 for the Indianapolis Colts (16 games).

That 2.0-point weekly advantage for DJ Moore 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. DJ Moore turned 85 targets into 682 yards and 6 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.

One scheduling note: DJ Moore is off Week 10 and Josh Downs Week 14. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: DJ Moore (age 29) 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?

•DJ Moore outscored Josh Downs by a projected 34 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DJ Moore played 17 games in 2025 compared to Josh Downs's 16. That durability gap means DJ Moore contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•DJ Moore scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Josh Downs saw 88 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Josh Downs is 5 years younger than DJ Moore (24 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DJ Moore vs Josh Downs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DJ Moore	Josh Downs
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	6.7
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	148	107
Receptions	50	58
Rec/Game	2.9	3.6
Receiving Yards	682	566
Rec Yds/Game	40.1	35.4
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	85	88
Target Share/Game	5.0	5.5
Age	29	24
Experience	7 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DJ Moore at 8.7 PPG, 2.0 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 DJ Moore or Josh Downs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DJ Moore has the edge at 8.7 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 DJ Moore and Josh Downs average in 2025?▾

DJ Moore averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Josh Downs averaged 6.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

When are DJ Moore and Josh Downs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DJ Moore (CHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DJ Moore or Josh Downs a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DJ Moore outscored Josh Downs by 2.0 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.