Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Downs vs Xavier WorthyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Josh Downs is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.7 PPG to Xavier Worthy's 6.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Josh Downs is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Josh Downs and Xavier Worthy are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.4-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.

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WRIndianapolis Colts#99PPG LEADER

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRKansas City Chiefs#99

Xavier Worthy

PPG

6.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

532

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Josh Downs

Xavier Worthy

Head to Head

6.7 PPG6.3 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Xavier Worthy: 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 Xavier Worthy at 29%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Josh Downs vs Xavier Worthy: 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 Xavier Worthy clocked in at 6.3 across 14 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs. 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.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Josh Downs turned 88 targets into 566 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Xavier Worthy converted 73 looks into 532 yards and 1 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 Xavier Worthy Week 6. 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. Xavier Worthy (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Josh Downs outscored Xavier Worthy by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Downs played 16 games in 2025 compared to Xavier Worthy's 14. 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 Xavier Worthy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Downs	Xavier Worthy
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.7	6.3
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	88
Receptions	58	42
Rec/Game	3.6	3.0
Receiving Yards	566	532
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	38.0
Receiving TDs	4	1
Targets	88	73
Target Share/Game	5.5	5.2
Age	24	23
Experience	3 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Josh Downs at 6.7 PPG, 0.4 points per game above Xavier Worthy's 6.3. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Josh Downs or Xavier Worthy in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Downs has the edge at 6.7 PPG compared to Xavier Worthy's 6.3 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 Xavier Worthy average in 2025?▾

Josh Downs averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Xavier Worthy averaged 6.3 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Josh Downs and Xavier Worthy's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Josh Downs (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Xavier Worthy (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Josh Downs or Xavier Worthy a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Josh Downs outscored Xavier Worthy 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.