Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Tre TuckerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tre Tucker is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tre Tucker is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Tre Tucker edges Josh Downs by 1.1 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, Tre Tucker 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

WRLas Vegas Raiders#50PPG LEADER

Tre Tucker

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

696

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Tre Tucker

Head to Head

6.7 PPG7.8 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Tre Tucker: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #50 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Josh Downs is producing at 30% of elite pace and Tre Tucker at 35%. That ranking gap means Tre Tucker carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Josh Downs vs Tre Tucker: 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 Tre Tucker clocked in at 7.8 across 17 appearances for the Las Vegas Raiders. A 1.1-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.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Josh Downs turned 88 targets into 566 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Tre Tucker converted 92 looks into 696 yards and 5 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Josh Downs is off Week 14 and Tre Tucker Week 13. 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. Tre Tucker (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Tre Tucker outscored Josh Downs by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tre Tucker played 17 games in 2025 compared to Josh Downs's 16. That durability gap means Tre Tucker contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tre Tucker scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Tre Tucker saw 92 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 Tre Tucker: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Tre Tucker
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	7.8
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	133
Receptions	58	57
Rec/Game	3.6	3.4
Receiving Yards	566	696
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	40.9
Receiving TDs	4	5
Targets	88	92
Target Share/Game	5.5	5.4
Age	24	25
Experience	3 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Tre Tucker holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.8 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 Tre Tucker in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tre Tucker has the edge at 7.8 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 Tre Tucker average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tre Tucker averaged 7.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Tre Tucker's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Tre Tucker (LV) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Josh Downs or Tre Tucker a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Tre Tucker outscored Josh Downs by 1.1 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.