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Head to Head

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Courtland Sutton vs Josh DownsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Courtland Sutton 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

Courtland Sutton is the better fantasy play this season.

Courtland Sutton has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.0-PPG advantage is real (10.7 to 6.7), and Courtland Sutton's 7 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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WRDenver Broncos#21PPG LEADER
Courtland Sutton
PPG
10.7
Games
17
Rec
74
Rec Yds
1,017
Rec TDs
7
Targets
124
Bye
Week 10
WRIndianapolis Colts#99
Josh Downs
PPG
6.7
Games
16
Rec
58
Rec Yds
566
Rec TDs
4
Targets
88
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Courtland Sutton
Josh Downs

Head to Head

10.7 PPG6.7 PPG
17 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Courtland Sutton: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #21 at the position). Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Courtland Sutton is producing at 49% of elite pace and Josh Downs at 30%. That ranking gap means Courtland Sutton carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Courtland Sutton vs Josh Downs: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Courtland Sutton (Denver Broncos) finished the 2025 season averaging 10.7 fantasy points per game in 17 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.

Courtland Sutton 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.

Target volume is the story here. Courtland Sutton saw 124 targets in 2025, while Josh Downs drew 88. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Courtland Sutton, even in weeks where Josh Downs posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Courtland Sutton has his bye in Week 10, 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

If you can acquire Courtland Sutton 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: Courtland Sutton (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Josh Downs (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Courtland Sutton outscored Josh Downs by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Courtland Sutton played 17 games in 2025 compared to Josh Downs's 16. That durability gap means Courtland Sutton contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Courtland Sutton scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Courtland Sutton saw 124 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
  • Josh Downs is 6 years younger than Courtland Sutton (24 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Courtland Sutton vs Josh Downs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCourtland SuttonJosh Downs
PPG (Half-PPR)10.76.7
Games Played1716
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)182107
Receptions7458
Rec/Game4.43.6
Receiving Yards1,017566
Rec Yds/Game59.835.4
Receiving TDs74
Targets12488
Target Share/Game7.35.5
Age3024
Experience7 yrs3 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Courtland Sutton 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 Courtland Sutton or Josh Downs in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Courtland Sutton 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 Courtland Sutton and Josh Downs average in 2025?

Courtland Sutton averaged 10.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Josh Downs averaged 6.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

When are Courtland Sutton and Josh Downs's bye weeks in 2026?

Courtland Sutton (DEN) has a bye in Week 10, and Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Courtland Sutton or Josh Downs a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Courtland Sutton 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.