Josh Downs Week 1 Outlook - Ravens at Colts

By Derek Brown (FantasyPros), Sun, Sep 13th 2026, 12:44pm EDT

Josh Downs dealt with a hamstring issue to open last season, which could be a reason why he didn't eclipse a 60% snap share until Week 4. Downs' playing time was a rollercoaster the rest of the season, as his snap rate dipped below 60% in five other weeks in the remainder of the season. Originally, Downs was expected to step into an elevated role in 2026 and play more on the perimeter after seeing only 65 routes as a boundary receiver last year. I worry that plan could be scrapped after the signing of Keenan Allen. Downs could easily be in his limited snap slot role again in 2026. Maybe not out of the gate with Alec Pierce getting back up to full speed, but it's still up in the air. Last year, overall, Downs was 19th in separation score and 55th in route win rate, but when you look at him as a perimeter receiver, he drops to 52nd in separation and 84th in route win rate. On a per-route basis, among 109 qualifying receivers, he was 29th in target per route run rate, 66th in yards per route run, and 26th in first downs per route run. I'm not plugging Downs into a lineup in Week 1 with his playing time up in the air. The matchup also isn't a smash one to worry about missing out on. The Ravens should field an improved pass defense this season, but last year their secondary wasn't hopeless against receivers. They allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points per opportunity and ranked 15th in yards per target.