Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Mack HollinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Josh Downs is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.7 PPG to Mack Hollins's 6.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Josh Downs is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Josh Downs edges Mack Hollins by 0.7 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, Josh Downs 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#99PPG LEADER

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRNew England Patriots#99

Mack Hollins

PPG

6.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

550

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Mack Hollins

Head to Head

6.7 PPG6.0 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Mack Hollins: 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 Mack Hollins at 27%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Josh Downs vs Mack Hollins: The Full Breakdown

Josh Downs (6.7 PPG) and Mack Hollins (6.0 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; Mack Hollins suited up 15 times for the New England Patriots.

A 0.7-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 Mack Hollins converted 65 looks into 550 yards and 2 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 14 bye. That means you need a backup plan at wide receiver for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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. Mack Hollins (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Josh Downs outscored Mack Hollins by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Downs played 16 games in 2025 compared to Mack Hollins's 15. 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.
•Josh Downs is 8 years younger than Mack Hollins (24 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Josh Downs vs Mack Hollins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Mack Hollins
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	6.0
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	90
Receptions	58	46
Rec/Game	3.6	3.1
Receiving Yards	566	550
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	36.7
Receiving TDs	4	2
Targets	88	65
Target Share/Game	5.5	4.3
Age	24	32
Experience	3 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Josh Downs holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.7 points per game. Mack Hollins averaged 6.0 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 Mack Hollins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Downs has the edge at 6.7 PPG compared to Mack Hollins's 6.0 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 Mack Hollins average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Mack Hollins averaged 6.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

Do Josh Downs and Mack Hollins share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Josh Downs and Mack Hollins share a Week 14 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is Josh Downs or Mack Hollins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Josh Downs outscored Mack Hollins by 0.7 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.