De'Zhaun Stribling · Josh Downs · 2026 week 1

De'Zhaun Stribling or Josh Downs?

Wondering who you should start this week — De'Zhaun Stribling 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 5.6 PPR points clear of De'Zhaun Stribling in week 1, drawing BAL — the 5th-ranked matchup for WRs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.
PlayerWk 1Proj (PPR)MatchupForm L3Trade valueStatus
De'Zhaun Stribling @ LAR 6.9 12th 681 Questionable
Josh Downs START vs BAL 12.5 5th · soft 8.9 691 Questionable

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 — 691 against 681 (a 1% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Josh Downs gets the most. Momentum: De'Zhaun Stribling +240 and Josh Downs -175 over the last 30 days.

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

More WR decisions

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.