Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Travis HunterWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Travis Hunter 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

Travis Hunter is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Travis Hunter 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, Travis Hunter 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

WRJacksonville Jaguars#58PPG LEADER

Travis Hunter

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

298

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Travis Hunter

Head to Head

6.7 PPG7.1 PPG

16 GP7 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Travis Hunter: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #58 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Josh Downs is producing at 30% of elite pace and Travis Hunter at 32%. That ranking gap means Travis Hunter carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Josh Downs vs Travis Hunter: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Josh Downs finished the 2025 season at 6.7 PPG over 16 games with the Indianapolis Colts, while Travis Hunter clocked in at 7.1 across 7 appearances for the Jacksonville Jaguars. A 0.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Target volume is the story here. Josh Downs saw 88 targets in 2025, while Travis Hunter drew 45. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Josh Downs, even in weeks where Travis Hunter 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 Travis Hunter Week 7. 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.

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. Travis Hunter (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Travis Hunter outscored Josh Downs by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Downs played 16 games in 2025 compared to Travis Hunter's 7. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Josh Downs vs Travis Hunter: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Travis Hunter
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	7.1
Games Played	16	7
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	50
Receptions	58	28
Rec/Game	3.6	4.0
Receiving Yards	566	298
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	42.6
Receiving TDs	4	1
Targets	88	45
Target Share/Game	5.5	6.4
Age	24	23
Experience	3 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

Travis Hunter outscored Josh Downs by 0.4 PPG in 2025 (7.1 to 6.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Josh Downs or Travis Hunter in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Travis Hunter 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 Travis Hunter average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Travis Hunter averaged 7.1 PPG over 7 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Travis Hunter's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Travis Hunter (JAX) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Josh Downs or Travis Hunter a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Travis Hunter 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.