Brian Thomas Jr. · Josh Downs · 2026 week 9

Brian Thomas Jr. or Josh Downs?

Wondering who you should start this week — Brian Thomas Jr. or Josh Downs? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start Josh DownsJosh Downs projects 7.2 PPR points clear of Brian Thomas Jr. in week 9, drawing DAL — the 5th-ranked matchup for WRs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 9	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Brian Thomas Jr.	@ BAL	3.8	10th	6.6	210	healthy
Josh Downs START	vs DAL	11.0	5th · soft	8.3	789	healthy

WRs vs BAL recently: Jerry Jeudy 6.9 pts (W6) · Tee Higgins 20.8 pts (W7) · DJ Moore 12.6 pts (W8).

WRs vs DAL recently: Matthew Golden 16.4 pts (W6) · Makai Lemon 12.7 pts (W7) · Michael Wilson 18.8 pts (W8).

🎓 The coach's read

Josh Downs projects 7.2 points higher in PPR.
Brian Thomas Jr. faces BAL, 10th most generous to WRs.
Josh Downs faces DAL, 5th most generous to WRs.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Josh Downs carries the higher trade value — 789 against 210 (a 73% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Josh Downs gets the most. Momentum: Brian Thomas Jr. -231 and Josh Downs +90 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More WR decisions

Brian Thomas Jr. or DeMario Douglas?Brian Thomas Jr. or Jakobi Meyers?Brian Thomas Jr. or Xavier Worthy?Josh Downs or DK Metcalf?Josh Downs or Davante Adams?Josh Downs or Omar Cooper Jr.?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.