Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Joshua PalmerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joshua Palmer is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.8 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joshua Palmer is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Joshua Palmer edges Josh Downs by 0.1 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Joshua Palmer goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRLos Angeles Chargers#99PPG LEADER

Joshua Palmer

PPG

6.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

498

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Joshua Palmer

Head to Head

6.7 PPG6.8 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Joshua Palmer: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Josh Downs is producing at 30% of elite pace and Joshua Palmer at 31%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Josh Downs vs Joshua Palmer: The Full Breakdown

Josh Downs (6.7 PPG) and Joshua Palmer (6.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Josh Downs played 16 games for the Indianapolis Colts; Joshua Palmer suited up 14 times for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 0.1-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Josh Downs turned 88 targets into 566 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Joshua Palmer converted 65 looks into 498 yards and 2 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Josh Downs sits Week 14 while Joshua Palmer is off Week 5. 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Josh Downs (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Joshua Palmer (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Joshua Palmer outscored Josh Downs by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Downs played 16 games in 2025 compared to Joshua Palmer's 14. That durability gap means Josh Downs 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.
•Josh Downs saw 88 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Josh Downs vs Joshua Palmer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Joshua Palmer
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	6.8
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	95
Receptions	58	42
Rec/Game	3.6	3.0
Receiving Yards	566	498
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	35.6
Receiving TDs	4	2
Targets	88	65
Target Share/Game	5.5	4.6
Age	24	-
Experience	3 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joshua Palmer holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.8 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 Josh Downs or Joshua Palmer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joshua Palmer has the edge at 6.8 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 Josh Downs and Joshua Palmer average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Joshua Palmer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Josh Downs or Joshua Palmer a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Joshua Palmer outscored Josh Downs by 0.1 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.