Chris Olave vs Josh Downs: Who Should You Start?
There is a real production gap between these two wide receivers. Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints) averaged 13.7 PPG over 16 games in 2025, outscoring Josh Downs (Indianapolis Colts, 6.7 PPG) by 7.0 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.
The per-game difference of 7.0 points favors Chris Olave, 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.
Target volume is the story here. Chris Olave saw 156 targets in 2025, while Josh Downs drew 88. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Chris Olave, even in weeks where Josh Downs posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.
One scheduling note: Chris Olave is off Week 12 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.
