Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Kayshon BoutteWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kayshon Boutte is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.7 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kayshon Boutte is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Kayshon Boutte and Josh Downs are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.0-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

WRNew England Patriots#53PPG LEADER

Kayshon Boutte

PPG

7.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

551

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Kayshon Boutte

Head to Head

6.7 PPG7.7 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Kayshon Boutte: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #53 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Josh Downs is producing at 30% of elite pace and Kayshon Boutte at 35%. That ranking gap means Kayshon Boutte carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Josh Downs vs Kayshon Boutte: The Full Breakdown

Josh Downs (6.7 PPG) and Kayshon Boutte (7.7 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; Kayshon Boutte suited up 14 times for the New England Patriots.

A 1.0-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.

Target volume is the story here. Josh Downs saw 88 targets in 2025, while Kayshon Boutte drew 46. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Josh Downs, even in weeks where Kayshon Boutte posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Josh Downs sits Week 14 while Kayshon Boutte is off Week 11. 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. Kayshon Boutte (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Kayshon Boutte outscored Josh Downs by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Downs played 16 games in 2025 compared to Kayshon Boutte's 14. That durability gap means Josh Downs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kayshon Boutte scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 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 Kayshon Boutte: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Kayshon Boutte
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	7.7
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	108
Receptions	58	33
Rec/Game	3.6	2.4
Receiving Yards	566	551
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	39.4
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	88	46
Target Share/Game	5.5	3.3
Age	24	24
Experience	3 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

7.7 PPG for Kayshon Boutte versus 6.7 for Josh Downs in 2025. The baseline favors Kayshon Boutte, 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 Josh Downs or Kayshon Boutte in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kayshon Boutte has the edge at 7.7 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 Josh Downs and Kayshon Boutte average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Kayshon Boutte averaged 7.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Kayshon Boutte's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Kayshon Boutte (NE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Josh Downs or Kayshon Boutte a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Kayshon Boutte outscored Josh Downs by 1.0 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.