Is Josh Downs A Good Fantasy Football Pickup for Week 7? Waiver Wire Outlook

The Indianapolis Colts enter Week 7 running 11 personnel 77% of the time, which is the fourth-highest in the NFL.

Rookie wide receiver Josh Downs has been the biggest beneficiary of this usage, with 182 pass snaps in the slot this year so far.

Downs has had some impressive showings over the last four weeks. Should you consider picking him up in fantasy leagues after his strong start?

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What Did Josh Downs Do In Week 6?

Josh Downs finished the loss at Jacksonville with five catches on eight targets for 21 yards and a touchdown. The rookie from North Carolina has seen at least five targets in five of the six games so far and has recorded at least five catches three times.

After falling behind early and having a favorable game script, the Colts threw the ball on 63 of 78 plays, which helped Downs have a solid outing.

In the two games with Minshew starting, Downs has recorded 13 catches on 20 targets. With Anthony Richardson (shoulder) potentially out for the year, the stock of the Colts' receiver is on the rise.

Were There Any Worrying Signs With Josh Downs In Week 6?

The output was solid, but ending with only 21 yards on eight targets doesn't make for a great day at the office. Downs' average depth of target was six yards, paired with just 0.4 yards after the catch (YAC) per reception.

Downs wasn't getting much work downfield and had difficulty navigating in space after the catch. His season's average depth of target is just 6.8 yards, highlighting his reliance on making defenders miss in order to gain yards.

The target volume is impressive, making him a great option in PPR formats. To be relevant in all formats, he'll need to find the endzone and accumulate yards after the catch with Minshew at quarterback.

Should I Pickup Josh Downs Off the Waiver Wire in Fantasy Football?

Week 7 doesn't offer a favorable matchup for Downs. The Colts are up against the Browns, who allow the fewest points to wide receivers and are coming off a dominant outing against the 49ers. While falling behind early might lead to a serviceable performance, he isn't the best option to stream in Week 7.

However, Downs is a great choice if there's an open spot on your bench. With his increasing target share and red zone usage, Downs seems to be a very promising and improving option with Minshew.

The veteran backup quarterback favors his short passing game, creating numerous opportunities for slot receivers. With rookie standout Anthony Richardson likely to miss the remainder of the season, Downs seems to be a solid pickup option for the rest of the year, given his role as Minshew's short passing game target.

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