Josh Downs Fantasy Prediction 2026: Buy the Dip on the Keenan Allen Panic

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Josh Downs Fantasy Prediction 2026: Buy the Dip on the Keenan Allen Panic

Kyle Soppe

Sat, September 5, 2026 at 1:04 PM UTC ·

4 min read

Should You Draft Josh Downs in Fantasy Football?

For me, the answer is yes. It's also proof positive that the preseason is too long. We have too long to think about this. We love the NFL too much to be doing this year-round.

Everybody was in on Downs the second Michael Pittman took his talents to Pittsburgh. The second those targets opened up, we were in on Downs. We were all about the talent, all about what he could do in the short-yardage situation and in a Daniel Jones-led offense that thrived for the first half and beyond of last season. Then, realistically, nothing's changed. Daniel Jones' recovery, if anything, is trending in a positive direction.

But then big bad Keenan Allen signs in August. A 34-year-old Keenan Allen can't earn a target in a Ben Johnson-led offense. To me, it's crazy. Keenan Allen wasn't that great last season. He was on the field a ton for Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears, but he wasn't doing anything of substance.

Do we really think that him coming to Indy takes all this pressure off a guy in Downs who we've been preaching, who we've been begging for more volume for? Now we finally get the opportunity. It's just like Isaiah Likely. He finally gets an opportunity to thrive. There's not a ton of competition. Now Keenan Allen is the reason that Downs' ADP is outside the top 100. To me, that is bonkers.

I'm not saying he's a league winner. I'm not saying he's going to be JSN of this season, but there's a career catch total in play in PPR leagues. I think this dude's going to see 6 to 8 efficient targets on a consistent basis for an offense that we think is going to be better than average. They don't have to be a top-five unit. If they are better than average, I'm telling you, Josh is catching 80-plus passes. He's doing it weekly. He's giving you WR2, maybe flex-worthy numbers on a consistent basis, and that's great.

He's being drafted next to guys like Quentin Johnston, who I like more than the industry does. But QJ is going to give you 6 good weeks out of 17. Downs might be effective for 13 out of 17 weeks this season. That's not in a WR1 capacity, but he doesn't need to be. If he's giving me 12 points a week, that's fine. I'll take that at his price. I'll build a foundation around him so that I can slot him in. My stars can do the heavy lifting.

Give me Downs. I'm buying the dip, because realistically there's been no real change in his situation. I want me some Downs in 2026, and I think you should do the same.

Josh Downs' Week 1 Fantasy Outlook

When Michael Pittman was acquired by the Steelers in March, I was, like everyone else, excited for what that could mean for the 25-year-old Downs.

Some of that excitement was tempered months later with the signing of Keenan Allen, but if we were truly in on the talent, should a 34-year-old veteran really be an issue?

I'd say I'm cautiously optimistic. The health of Daniel Jones is obviously great to see, and while we don't need this to be the league's best offense like they were for stretches last year, they need to be moving the ball consistently in order for a volume-based player like this to succeed.

The Ravens were a top-10 defense in defending short passes in terms of yards per completion and touchdown rate. Downs is ranked outside of my top-40 at the position this week, but considering that he averaged 9 targets per game when given a full route share (35+), I'm looking for reasons to buy.

Should You Draft Josh Downs in Fantasy Football?

Josh Downs' Week 1 Fantasy Outlook

Where Downs Ranks Among 2026 Wide Receivers