Head to Head · Start / Sit

Josh Downs vs Tee Higgins

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

WRIndianapolis Colts

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRCincinnati BengalsPPG LEADER

Tee Higgins

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

846

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

Head to Head

6.7 PPG12.1 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Josh Downs vs Tee Higgins: Who Should You Start?

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Josh Downs (Indianapolis Colts) finished the 2025 season averaging 6.7 fantasy points per game in 16 games. Tee Higgins (Cincinnati Bengals) came in at 12.1 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Tee Higgins carries a 5.4-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Josh Downs turned 88 targets into 566 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Tee Higgins converted 98 looks into 846 yards and 11 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Josh Downs sits Week 14 while Tee Higgins is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

The Bottom Line

Based on 2025 production, Tee Higgins holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.1 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 Tee Higgins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tee Higgins has the edge at 12.1 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 Tee Higgins average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tee Higgins averaged 12.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.4 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Tee Higgins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Tee Higgins (CIN) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Josh Downs or Tee Higgins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Tee Higgins outscored Josh Downs by 5.4 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.