Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Calvin Ridley vs Josh DownsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Calvin Ridley is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.0 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Calvin Ridley is the better fantasy play this season.

Calvin Ridley is the better play on a neutral week. 10.0 PPG with 785 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 Calvin Ridley 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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WRTennessee Titans#99PPG LEADER

Calvin Ridley

PPG

10.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

785

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Calvin Ridley

Josh Downs

Head to Head

10.0 PPG6.7 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Calvin Ridley: 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, Calvin Ridley is producing at 45% of elite pace and Josh Downs at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Calvin Ridley vs Josh Downs: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Calvin Ridley and Josh Downs is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Tennessee Titans wide receiver put up 10.0 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts averaged 6.7 in 16. A 3.3-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.3 points favors Calvin Ridley, 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. Calvin Ridley turned 95 targets into 785 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.

Calvin Ridley has his bye in Week 5, and Josh Downs rests in Week 14. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Calvin Ridley 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: Calvin Ridley (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?

•Calvin Ridley outscored Josh Downs by a projected 56 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Calvin Ridley scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Calvin Ridley saw 95 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Calvin Ridley vs Josh Downs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Calvin Ridley	Josh Downs
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.0	6.7
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	160	107
Receptions	58	58
Rec/Game	3.6	3.6
Receiving Yards	785	566
Rec Yds/Game	49.1	35.4
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	95	88
Target Share/Game	5.9	5.5
Age	-	24
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 14

Summary

10.0 PPG for Calvin Ridley versus 6.7 for Josh Downs in 2025. The baseline favors Calvin Ridley, 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 Calvin Ridley or Josh Downs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Calvin Ridley has the edge at 10.0 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 Calvin Ridley and Josh Downs average in 2025?▾

Calvin Ridley averaged 10.0 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 3.3 points per game.

When are Calvin Ridley and Josh Downs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Calvin Ridley (TEN) has a bye in Week 5, and Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Calvin Ridley or Josh Downs a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Calvin Ridley outscored Josh Downs by 3.3 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.