Josh Downs (WR, IND) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 9% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: Josh Downs has been one of our top waiver wire picks every week this season, and his rostered percentage has gradually risen from 1% to 11% in Week 4 before it went down to 9% last week after a quiet performance against the Rams. Well, it seems like the people who gave up on him made a big mistake.

Downs exploded against the Titans, as he finished with 97 yards receiving on six catches. He ranked as the WR18 in Week 5 and has been garnering attention all around the league as more people have started to watch the Colts due to Jonathan Taylor's return.

Josh Downs averaged 5.19 separation yards. The league average is 2.94 yards. pic.twitter.com/hDBkbWQFRx

— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) October 8, 2023

Downs' fantasy output will also benefit in the coming weeks due to Anthony Richardson's injury. Richardson is set to miss a month or more and he typically supplies a lower passing volume compared to his replacement, Gardner Minshew.

Minshew loves forcing throws to his top receivers, and while that makes him predictable, this is fantasy football we're talking about. The more catches and targets, the better. Remember DJ Chark Jr.? He unexpectedly finished as the WR17 in 2019 as he caught 73 passes for 1,008 yards with Minshew throwing him the football.

The next few matchups will be difficult for the Colts, but Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. will keep being thrown at by Minshew and his aggressive play style. Downs was targeted 12 times and finished with 13.7 PPR points against a dominant Ravens defense (second in the least points allowed per drive) in Minshew's lone start this season. The other games might be tough, but won't be as tough as the Ravens game. He produced in that game and will keep getting better. Get him while you still can.

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