Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Troy FranklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Troy Franklin is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.5 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Troy Franklin is the better fantasy play this season.

Troy Franklin has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.8-PPG advantage is real (8.5 to 6.7), and Troy Franklin's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Josh Downs is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

WRDenver Broncos#44PPG LEADER

Troy Franklin

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

709

Rec TDs

Targets

104

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Troy Franklin

Head to Head

6.7 PPG8.5 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Troy Franklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #44 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Josh Downs is producing at 30% of elite pace and Troy Franklin at 39%. That ranking gap means Troy Franklin carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Josh Downs vs Troy Franklin: The Full Breakdown

Josh Downs and Troy Franklin are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Josh Downs averaged 6.7 PPG across 16 games with the Indianapolis Colts, while Troy Franklin posted 8.5 PPG in 17 appearances for the Denver Broncos.

A 1.8-PPG gap gives Troy Franklin the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Josh Downs turned 88 targets into 566 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Troy Franklin converted 104 looks into 709 yards and 6 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 Troy Franklin Week 10. 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. Troy Franklin (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Troy Franklin outscored Josh Downs by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Troy Franklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to Josh Downs's 16. That durability gap means Troy Franklin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Troy Franklin scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Troy Franklin saw 104 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 Troy Franklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Troy Franklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	8.5
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	145
Receptions	58	65
Rec/Game	3.6	3.8
Receiving Yards	566	709
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	41.7
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	88	104
Target Share/Game	5.5	6.1
Age	24	23
Experience	3 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

Troy Franklin outscored Josh Downs by 1.8 PPG in 2025 (8.5 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 Troy Franklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Troy Franklin has the edge at 8.5 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 Troy Franklin average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Troy Franklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Troy Franklin (DEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Josh Downs or Troy Franklin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Troy Franklin outscored Josh Downs by 1.8 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.