Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Alec Pierce vs Josh DownsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Alec Pierce is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.7 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Alec Pierce is the better fantasy play this season.

Alec Pierce has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.0-PPG advantage is real (10.7 to 6.7), and Alec Pierce's 6 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#22PPG LEADER

Alec Pierce

PPG

10.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,003

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Alec Pierce

Josh Downs

Head to Head

10.7 PPG6.7 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Alec Pierce: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #22 at the position). Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Alec Pierce is producing at 49% of elite pace and Josh Downs at 30%. That ranking gap means Alec Pierce carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Alec Pierce vs Josh Downs: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Alec Pierce (Indianapolis Colts) finished the 2025 season averaging 10.7 fantasy points per game in 15 games. Josh Downs (Indianapolis Colts) came in at 6.7 PPG over 16 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Alec Pierce carries a 4.0-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Alec Pierce turned 84 targets into 1003 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: Alec Pierce is off Week 13 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

If you can acquire Alec Pierce 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: Alec Pierce (age 26) 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?

•Alec Pierce outscored Josh Downs by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Downs played 16 games in 2025 compared to Alec Pierce's 15. That durability gap means Josh Downs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Alec Pierce scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Alec Pierce vs Josh Downs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alec Pierce	Josh Downs
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.7	6.7
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	161	107
Receptions	47	58
Rec/Game	3.1	3.6
Receiving Yards	1,003	566
Rec Yds/Game	66.9	35.4
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	84	88
Target Share/Game	5.6	5.5
Age	26	24
Experience	3 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Alec Pierce holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.7 points per game. Josh Downs averaged 6.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Alec Pierce or Josh Downs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Alec Pierce has the edge at 10.7 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 Alec Pierce and Josh Downs average in 2025?▾

Alec Pierce averaged 10.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Josh Downs averaged 6.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

When are Alec Pierce and Josh Downs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alec Pierce (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alec Pierce or Josh Downs a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Alec Pierce outscored Josh Downs by 4.0 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.