Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Chris Olave vs Josh DownsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Chris Olave is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.6 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Chris Olave is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Chris Olave outscored Josh Downs by 6.9 PPG in 2025 with 9 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Chris Olave is the clear pick. Josh Downs profiles as a matchup-dependent wide receiver who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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WRNew Orleans Saints#9PPG LEADER

Chris Olave

PPG

13.6

Games

Rec

100

Rec Yds

1,163

Rec TDs

Targets

156

Bye

Week 8

WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Chris Olave

Josh Downs

Head to Head

13.6 PPG6.7 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Chris Olave: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #9 at the position). Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Chris Olave is producing at 62% of elite pace and Josh Downs at 30%. That ranking gap means Chris Olave carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chris Olave vs Josh Downs: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two wide receivers. Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints) averaged 13.6 PPG over 16 games in 2025, outscoring Josh Downs (Indianapolis Colts, 6.7 PPG) by 6.9 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 6.9 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 8 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

Chris Olave 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: Chris Olave (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Josh Downs (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Chris Olave outscored Josh Downs by a projected 117 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Chris Olave scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Chris Olave saw 156 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chris Olave vs Josh Downs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chris Olave	Josh Downs
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.6	6.7
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	218	107
Receptions	100	58
Rec/Game	6.3	3.6
Receiving Yards	1,163	566
Rec Yds/Game	72.7	35.4
Receiving TDs	9	4
Targets	156	88
Target Share/Game	9.8	5.5
Age	25	24
Experience	3 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 14

Summary

13.6 PPG for Chris Olave versus 6.7 for Josh Downs in 2025. The baseline favors Chris Olave, 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 Chris Olave or Josh Downs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Chris Olave has the edge at 13.6 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 Chris Olave and Josh Downs average in 2025?▾

Chris Olave averaged 13.6 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 6.9 points per game.

When are Chris Olave and Josh Downs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Chris Olave (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Chris Olave or Josh Downs a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Chris Olave outscored Josh Downs by 6.9 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.