Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Khalil ShakirWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Khalil Shakir is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.1 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Khalil Shakir is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Khalil Shakir edges Josh Downs by 1.4 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, Khalil Shakir 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

WRBuffalo Bills#48PPG LEADER

Khalil Shakir

PPG

8.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

719

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Khalil Shakir

Head to Head

6.7 PPG8.1 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Khalil Shakir: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #48 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Josh Downs is producing at 30% of elite pace and Khalil Shakir at 37%. That ranking gap means Khalil Shakir carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Josh Downs vs Khalil Shakir: The Full Breakdown

Josh Downs (6.7 PPG) and Khalil Shakir (8.1 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; Khalil Shakir suited up 16 times for the Buffalo Bills.

A 1.4-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 Khalil Shakir converted 95 looks into 719 yards and 4 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 Khalil Shakir is off Week 7. 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. Khalil Shakir (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Khalil Shakir outscored Josh Downs by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Downs scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Khalil Shakir saw 95 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 Khalil Shakir: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Khalil Shakir
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	8.1
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	130
Receptions	58	72
Rec/Game	3.6	4.5
Receiving Yards	566	719
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	44.9
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	88	95
Target Share/Game	5.5	5.9
Age	24	26
Experience	3 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Khalil Shakir holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.1 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 Khalil Shakir in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Khalil Shakir has the edge at 8.1 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 Josh Downs and Khalil Shakir average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Khalil Shakir averaged 8.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Khalil Shakir's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Khalil Shakir (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Josh Downs or Khalil Shakir a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Khalil Shakir outscored Josh Downs by 1.4 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.