Josh Downs · Michael Pittman Jr. · 2026 week 9

Josh Downs or Michael Pittman Jr.?

Wondering who you should start this week — Josh Downs or Michael Pittman Jr.? 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 4.4 PPR points clear of Michael Pittman 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
Josh Downs START	vs DAL	10.9	5th · soft	8.3	577	healthy
Michael Pittman Jr.	@ CIN	6.5	12th	5.3	7	IR

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

WRs vs CIN recently: Kevin Coleman Jr. 9 pts (W5) · Zay Flowers 19.7 pts (W7) · Chimere Dike 13.1 pts (W8).

🎓 The coach's read

Josh Downs projects 4.4 points higher in PPR.
Josh Downs faces DAL, 5th most generous to WRs.
Michael Pittman Jr. faces CIN, 12th most generous to WRs.
Michael Pittman Jr. is flagged OUT.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Josh Downs carries the higher trade value — 577 against 7 (a 99% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Josh Downs gets the most. Momentum: Josh Downs -220 and Michael Pittman Jr. -189 over the last 30 days.

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

More WR decisions

Josh Downs or Denzel Boston?Josh Downs or Deebo Samuel Sr.?Josh Downs or Marvin Harrison Jr.?Michael Pittman Jr. or Dontayvion Wicks?Michael Pittman Jr. or De'Zhaun Stribling?Michael Pittman Jr. or Chris Bell?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.