Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Rashid ShaheedWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Rashid Shaheed 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

Rashid Shaheed is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Rashid Shaheed 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, Rashid Shaheed 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

WRSeattle Seahawks#57PPG LEADER

Rashid Shaheed

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

687

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Rashid Shaheed

Head to Head

6.7 PPG7.1 PPG

16 GP18 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Rashid Shaheed: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #57 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Josh Downs is producing at 30% of elite pace and Rashid Shaheed at 32%. That ranking gap means Rashid Shaheed carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Josh Downs vs Rashid Shaheed: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Josh Downs and Rashid Shaheed is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.4 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Josh Downs averaged 6.7 PPG with the Indianapolis Colts across 16 games, and Rashid Shaheed posted 7.1 with the Seattle Seahawks in 18.

When two wide receivers are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Josh Downs turned 88 targets into 566 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Rashid Shaheed converted 92 looks into 687 yards and 2 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Josh Downs has his bye in Week 14, and Rashid Shaheed rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Rashid Shaheed (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Rashid Shaheed outscored Josh Downs by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Rashid Shaheed played 18 games in 2025 compared to Josh Downs's 16. That durability gap means Rashid Shaheed 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.
•Rashid Shaheed saw 92 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 Rashid Shaheed: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Rashid Shaheed
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	7.1
Games Played	16	18
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	128
Receptions	58	59
Rec/Game	3.6	3.3
Receiving Yards	566	687
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	38.2
Receiving TDs	4	2
Targets	88	92
Target Share/Game	5.5	5.1
Age	24	27
Experience	3 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Rashid Shaheed 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 Rashid Shaheed in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rashid Shaheed 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 Rashid Shaheed average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Rashid Shaheed averaged 7.1 PPG over 18 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Rashid Shaheed's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Josh Downs or Rashid Shaheed a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Rashid Shaheed 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.