Josh Downs vs Tetairoa McMillan: Who Should You Start?
Deciding between Josh Downs and Tetairoa McMillan is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Indianapolis Colts wide receiver put up 6.7 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Tetairoa McMillan of the Carolina Panthers averaged 10.4 in 17. A 3.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.
The per-game difference of 3.7 points favors Tetairoa McMillan, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.
Target volume is the story here. Tetairoa McMillan saw 122 targets in 2025, while Josh Downs drew 88. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Tetairoa McMillan, even in weeks where Josh Downs posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.
One scheduling note: Josh Downs is off Week 14 and Tetairoa McMillan Week 11. 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.
