Deebo Samuel · Josh Downs · 2026 week 1

Deebo Samuel or Josh Downs?

Start Josh DownsJosh Downs projects 5.1 PPR points clear of Deebo Samuel in week 1, drawing BAL — the 5th-ranked matchup for WRs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 1	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Deebo Samuel	@ LAR	8.3	12th	7.3	533	healthy
Josh Downs START	vs BAL	13.4	5th · soft	8.9	836	healthy

WRs vs LAR recently: Jaxon Smith-Njigba 15.6 pts (W16) · David Sills 3.7 pts (W17) · Michael Wilson 15.9 pts (W18).

WRs vs BAL recently: Stefon Diggs 13.8 pts (W16) · Christian Watson 17.3 pts (W17) · Calvin Austin 11.5 pts (W18).

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Josh Downs carries the higher trade value — 836 against 533 (a 36% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Josh Downs gets the most. Momentum: Deebo Samuel +473 and Josh Downs +463 over the last 30 days.

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

More WR decisions

Deebo Samuel or Alec Pierce?Deebo Samuel or Jakobi Meyers?Josh Downs or Michael Pittman?Josh Downs or Chris Godwin?Josh Downs or Alec Pierce?

Game logs, matchup ranks and form are the 2025 season — 2026 hasn’t kicked off. Projections, schedule and trade values are current 2026 numbers, refreshed nightly.