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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Tyreek HillWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Tyreek Hill over Josh Downs in 2026.

Tyreek Hill averaged 10.8 PPG in 2025 to Josh Downs's 6.7, a 4.1 point per game edge. Hill posted that edge in only 4 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability.

The Bottom Line

Tyreek Hill has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.1-PPG advantage is real (10.8 to 6.7), and Tyreek Hill's 1 touchdowns show scoring upside. Josh Downs is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRMiami Dolphins#20PPG LEADER

Tyreek Hill

PPG

10.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

265

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Tyreek Hill

Head to Head

6.7 PPG10.8 PPG

16 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Unranked WR. Tyreek Hill: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Josh Downs is producing at 30% of elite pace and Tyreek Hill at 49%. That ranking gap means Tyreek Hill carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Josh Downs vs Tyreek Hill: The Full Breakdown

Josh Downs and Tyreek Hill are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Josh Downs averaged 6.7 PPG across 16 games with the Indianapolis Colts, while Tyreek Hill posted 10.8 PPG in 4 appearances for the Miami Dolphins.

A 4.1-PPG gap gives Tyreek Hill the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Target volume is the story here. Josh Downs saw 88 targets in 2025, while Tyreek Hill drew 29. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Josh Downs, even in weeks where Tyreek Hill posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Josh Downs is off Week 14 and Tyreek Hill Week 6. 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

If you can acquire Tyreek Hill at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Josh Downs is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Josh Downs (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Tyreek Hill (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Tyreek Hill 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 Tyreek Hill's 4. That durability gap means Josh Downs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Josh Downs scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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 8 years younger than Tyreek Hill (24 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Josh Downs vs Tyreek Hill: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Tyreek Hill
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	10.8
Games Played	16	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	43
Receptions	58	21
Rec/Game	3.6	5.3
Receiving Yards	566	265
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	66.3
Receiving TDs	4	1
Targets	88	29
Target Share/Game	5.5	7.3
Age	24	32
Experience	3 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

Tyreek Hill outscored Josh Downs by 4.1 PPG in 2025 (10.8 to 6.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Josh Downs or Tyreek Hill in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyreek Hill 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 Josh Downs and Tyreek Hill average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tyreek Hill averaged 10.8 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 4.1 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Tyreek Hill's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Josh Downs or Tyreek Hill a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Tyreek Hill 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.