Josh Downs vs Rashid Shaheed: Who Should You Start?
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 10. 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.
