Josh Downs and Tre Tucker are both finding success in their second NFL seasons, but which wide receiver is the better fantasy football target as you scour the waiver wire?
Here, we take a look at what Downs and Tucker have done to this point in 2024, as well as what their outlooks are moving forward in the current campaign.
Should You Add Josh Downs or Tre Tucker in Week 5?
The wide receiver position has been much more difficult to predict in 2024. That makes the emergence of potential sleepers like Downs and Tucker all the more important within the fantasy context.
Downs began the season on the injury report, but he’s since returned. He had one of the best games of his young career in Week 4, catching eight of his nine targets for 82 yards and a touchdown — finding his stride with Joe Flacco under center.
‘Josh Downs Touchdown’ has a perfect ring to it.
📺 #INDvsJAX | 10/6 on CBS pic.twitter.com/lG5eclTXFs
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 30, 2024
Tucker, meanwhile, had his career-best outing in Week 3, catching seven of nine targets for 96 yards and a touchdown. His showing in Week 4 was less explosive, as he only caught five passes for 41 yards, but he did add a three-yard rushing touchdown. Davante Adams’ potential multi-game absence due to a hamstring injury ensures that Tucker will have a sizable role moving forward.
Both receivers are trending up with their targets, but which one has the best situation moving forward, and who should you target on your fantasy waiver wire?
I lean Downs over Tucker fairly handily. Both receivers boast quickness and speed, and Tucker’s usage situation is favorable with Adams’ injury. That said, the surrounding factors lean heavily in favor of Downs.
If Anthony Richardson misses time due to his hip injury, Downs has a veteran QB in Flacco who’ll undoubtedly encourage Shane Steichen to maintain the offense’s passing volume. Downs is also arguably the team’s most reliable WR right now.
Alec Pierce has been great on the vertical plane, and Michael Pittman Jr. is trending up after a slow start, but Downs is the resident chain-mover and target funnel, and that’s a role that’s conducive to consistent production.
While the Colts have an explosive passing attack directed by Steichen, the Raiders’ quarterback situation is tepid at best with Gardner Minshew. Minshew is experienced, but he can’t drive the ball as much as a Flacco or Richardson, and that might limit the Raiders’ potential on the vertical plane.
Another factor that leans in favor of Downs and the Colts is Indianapolis’ upcoming opponent. The Colts are set to play the Jaguars, who have allowed the second-most passing yards in the NFL to this point.
Both Tucker and Downs are ascending 2023 NFL Draft picks, and if Downs isn’t available, Tucker is a good consolation prize. But, Downs has the favorable supporting cast and the favorable matchup in Week 5, and as one of the league’s rising slot receivers, he might be a future-minded investment you’ll thank yourself for making.