Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Marquise BrownWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Marquise Brown is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.1 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Marquise Brown is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Marquise Brown edges Josh Downs by 0.4 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, Marquise Brown 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

WRKansas City Chiefs#56PPG LEADER

Marquise Brown

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

587

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Marquise Brown

Head to Head

6.7 PPG7.1 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Marquise Brown: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #56 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Josh Downs is producing at 30% of elite pace and Marquise Brown at 32%. That ranking gap means Marquise Brown carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Josh Downs vs Marquise Brown: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Josh Downs finished the 2025 season at 6.7 PPG over 16 games with the Indianapolis Colts, while Marquise Brown clocked in at 7.1 across 16 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs. A 0.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Josh Downs turned 88 targets into 566 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Marquise Brown converted 74 looks into 587 yards and 5 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Josh Downs is off Week 14 and Marquise Brown Week 5. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Marquise Brown (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Marquise Brown outscored Josh Downs by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Marquise Brown scored 5 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 4 years younger than Marquise Brown (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Josh Downs vs Marquise Brown: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Marquise Brown
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	7.1
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	114
Receptions	58	49
Rec/Game	3.6	3.1
Receiving Yards	566	587
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	36.7
Receiving TDs	4	5
Targets	88	74
Target Share/Game	5.5	4.6
Age	24	28
Experience	3 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Marquise Brown holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.1 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 Marquise Brown in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Marquise Brown has the edge at 7.1 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 Marquise Brown average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Marquise Brown averaged 7.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Marquise Brown's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Josh Downs or Marquise Brown a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Marquise Brown outscored Josh Downs by 0.4 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.