Josh Downs vs Kayshon Boutte: Who Should You Start?
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.
Both share a Week 14 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking wide receivers this deep on your bench, plan your replacement wide receiver early.
