Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Tyler LockettWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Lockett is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.9 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Lockett is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Tyler Lockett and Josh Downs are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Josh Downs and Tyler Lockett in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRSeattle Seahawks#99PPG LEADER

Tyler Lockett

PPG

6.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

548

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Tyler Lockett

Head to Head

6.7 PPG6.9 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Tyler Lockett: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Josh Downs is producing at 30% of elite pace and Tyler Lockett at 31%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Josh Downs vs Tyler Lockett: 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 Tyler Lockett clocked in at 6.9 across 15 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks. A 0.2-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 Tyler Lockett converted 72 looks into 548 yards and 2 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 Tyler Lockett 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. Tyler Lockett (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Lockett outscored Josh Downs by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Downs played 16 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Lockett's 15. 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 Tyler Lockett: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Tyler Lockett
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	6.9
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	104
Receptions	58	48
Rec/Game	3.6	3.2
Receiving Yards	566	548
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	36.5
Receiving TDs	4	2
Targets	88	72
Target Share/Game	5.5	4.8
Age	24	-
Experience	3 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

6.9 PPG for Tyler Lockett versus 6.7 for Josh Downs in 2025. The baseline favors Tyler Lockett, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Josh Downs vs Tyler Lockett

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Josh Downs vs Tyler Lockett

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Josh Downs or Tyler Lockett in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Lockett has the edge at 6.9 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 Tyler Lockett average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tyler Lockett averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Tyler Lockett's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Josh Downs or Tyler Lockett a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Tyler Lockett outscored Josh Downs by 0.2 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.