Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jerry Jeudy vs Josh DownsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jerry Jeudy is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jerry Jeudy is the better fantasy play this season.

Jerry Jeudy has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.4-PPG advantage is real (10.1 to 6.7), and Jerry Jeudy's 3 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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WRCleveland Browns#99PPG LEADER

Jerry Jeudy

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

845

Rec TDs

Targets

108

Bye

Week 10

WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Jerry Jeudy

Josh Downs

Head to Head

10.1 PPG6.7 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Jerry Jeudy: 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, Jerry Jeudy is producing at 46% of elite pace and Josh Downs at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jerry Jeudy vs Josh Downs: The Full Breakdown

Jerry Jeudy and Josh Downs are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Jerry Jeudy averaged 10.1 PPG across 17 games with the Cleveland Browns, while Josh Downs posted 6.7 PPG in 16 appearances for the Indianapolis Colts.

A 3.4-PPG gap gives Jerry Jeudy the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Jerry Jeudy turned 108 targets into 845 yards and 3 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.

One scheduling note: Jerry Jeudy is off Week 10 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

If you can acquire Jerry Jeudy 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: Jerry Jeudy (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?

•Jerry Jeudy outscored Josh Downs by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jerry Jeudy played 17 games in 2025 compared to Josh Downs's 16. That durability gap means Jerry Jeudy contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Josh Downs scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Jerry Jeudy saw 108 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jerry Jeudy vs Josh Downs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jerry Jeudy	Josh Downs
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	6.7
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	172	107
Receptions	68	58
Rec/Game	4.0	3.6
Receiving Yards	845	566
Rec Yds/Game	49.7	35.4
Receiving TDs	3	4
Targets	108	88
Target Share/Game	6.4	5.5
Age	-	24
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 14

Summary

Jerry Jeudy outscored Josh Downs by 3.4 PPG in 2025 (10.1 to 6.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jerry Jeudy or Josh Downs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jerry Jeudy has the edge at 10.1 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 Jerry Jeudy and Josh Downs average in 2025?▾

Jerry Jeudy averaged 10.1 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 3.4 points per game.

When are Jerry Jeudy and Josh Downs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jerry Jeudy (CLE) 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 Jerry Jeudy or Josh Downs a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jerry Jeudy outscored Josh Downs by 3.4 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.