Josh Downs waiver wire fantasy outlook for Week 9: Does Colts WR qualify as a priority add?
We're officially nearing the halfway mark of the season and the pickings are getting a little thinner on the waiver wire. Last week, we suggested picking Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman and New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry off the waiver wire and both players outperformed their potential in their respective matchups.
In Week 9's edition, we're bringing up another wide receiver with the potential to have a good game as a flex option in Week 9: Indianapolis Colts playmaker Josh Downs.
Josh Downs waiver wire fantasy outlook for Week 9
The NFL is a big league with several talented players, but in Josh Downs' case, you can't help but think he'd be much more productive if Joe Flacco was anointed the Colts' quarterback of the near future.
Downs had a breakout game in Week 8 against the Houston Texans, where he racked up 109 yards with a 28.1% target share. He had a massive touchdown to round off those numbers in an eventful night for the Colts offense.
They didn't manage to get the win and Anthony Richardson's struggles were there for all to see but Downs managed to make a statement despite his quarterback's limitations (Richardson completed just 31.2% of his passes).
That said, 69 of Downs' receiving yards came from that one big play. That catch meant Downs was the only Colts WR to manage over 20 receiving yards against Houston.
The good news is that the volume is there for Downs to be an effective player and deliver some points. He has nine or more targets in four of his last five games, and that volume is key in any fantasy choice you make regardless of if it's on a waiver wire pickup.
In Week 9, the Colts will go up against a Minnesota Vikings that has struggled to keep slot receivers in check. Yes, there's the boom-or-bust potential with Anthony Richardson on any given Sunday, but we're inclined to give Downs another opportunity to deliver this week, especially given that Richardson is bound to clean up some of his mistakes.
Also check out: Early Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 9 picks