Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ja'Marr Chase vs Josh DownsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ja'Marr Chase is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.7 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ja'Marr Chase is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Ja'Marr Chase outscored Josh Downs by 9.0 PPG in 2025 with 8 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Ja'Marr Chase 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Ja'Marr Chase and Josh Downs in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRCincinnati Bengals#3PPG LEADER

Ja'Marr Chase

PPG

15.7

Games

Rec

125

Rec Yds

1,412

Rec TDs

Targets

185

Bye

Week 6

WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Ja'Marr Chase

Josh Downs

Head to Head

15.7 PPG6.7 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Ja'Marr Chase: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #3 at the position). Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Ja'Marr Chase is producing at 71% of elite pace and Josh Downs at 30%. That ranking gap means Ja'Marr Chase carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ja'Marr Chase vs Josh Downs: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Ja'Marr Chase put up 15.7 fantasy points per game for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025, while Josh Downs managed 6.7 across 16 games with the Indianapolis Colts. A 9.0-point weekly edge is substantial at the wide receiver position.

That 9.0-point weekly advantage for Ja'Marr Chase is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Target volume is the story here. Ja'Marr Chase saw 185 targets in 2025, while Josh Downs drew 88. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ja'Marr Chase, even in weeks where Josh Downs posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Ja'Marr Chase sits Week 6 while Josh Downs is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Ja'Marr Chase 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: Ja'Marr Chase (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?

•Ja'Marr Chase outscored Josh Downs by a projected 153 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ja'Marr Chase scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Ja'Marr Chase saw 185 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ja'Marr Chase vs Josh Downs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ja'Marr Chase	Josh Downs
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.7	6.7
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	251	107
Receptions	125	58
Rec/Game	7.8	3.6
Receiving Yards	1,412	566
Rec Yds/Game	88.3	35.4
Receiving TDs	8	4
Targets	185	88
Target Share/Game	11.6	5.5
Age	26	24
Experience	4 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Ja'Marr Chase at 15.7 PPG, 9.0 points per game above Josh Downs's 6.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Ja'Marr Chase vs Josh Downs

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Ja'Marr Chase vs Josh Downs

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ja'Marr Chase or Josh Downs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ja'Marr Chase has the edge at 15.7 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 Ja'Marr Chase and Josh Downs average in 2025?▾

Ja'Marr Chase averaged 15.7 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 9.0 points per game.

When are Ja'Marr Chase and Josh Downs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ja'Marr Chase or Josh Downs a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Ja'Marr Chase outscored Josh Downs by 9.0 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.