Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Ryan FlournoyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ryan Flournoy is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.2 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ryan Flournoy is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ryan Flournoy and Josh Downs are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.5-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

WRDallas Cowboys#55PPG LEADER

Ryan Flournoy

PPG

7.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

475

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Ryan Flournoy

Head to Head

6.7 PPG7.2 PPG

16 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Ryan Flournoy: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #55 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Josh Downs is producing at 30% of elite pace and Ryan Flournoy at 33%. That ranking gap means Ryan Flournoy carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Josh Downs vs Ryan Flournoy: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Josh Downs and Ryan Flournoy is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.5 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 Ryan Flournoy posted 7.2 with the Dallas Cowboys in 13.

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.

Target volume is the story here. Josh Downs saw 88 targets in 2025, while Ryan Flournoy drew 56. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Josh Downs, even in weeks where Ryan Flournoy posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Both share a Week 14 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking wide receivers this deep on your bench, plan your replacement wide receiver early.

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. Ryan Flournoy (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Ryan Flournoy outscored Josh Downs by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Downs played 16 games in 2025 compared to Ryan Flournoy's 13. 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.
•Both players share a Week 14 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Josh Downs vs Ryan Flournoy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Ryan Flournoy
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	7.2
Games Played	16	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	94
Receptions	58	40
Rec/Game	3.6	3.1
Receiving Yards	566	475
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	36.5
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	88	56
Target Share/Game	5.5	4.3
Age	24	26
Experience	3 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 14

Summary

7.2 PPG for Ryan Flournoy versus 6.7 for Josh Downs in 2025. The baseline favors Ryan Flournoy, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Josh Downs or Ryan Flournoy in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ryan Flournoy has the edge at 7.2 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 Ryan Flournoy average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Ryan Flournoy averaged 7.2 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

Do Josh Downs and Ryan Flournoy share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Josh Downs and Ryan Flournoy 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 Ryan Flournoy a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Ryan Flournoy outscored Josh Downs by 0.5 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.