Start DK Metcalf or Josh Downs? Week 3

Our Week 3 call

Start DK Metcalf over Josh Downs in Week 3.

De-vigged player props project DK Metcalf at 11.8 points and Josh Downs at 11.3, a gap of 0.5. That is inside the noise of a single catch, so treat it as close to a coin flip.

What the books imply

Player prop markets imply 11.8 fantasy points for DK Metcalf, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The books have DK Metcalf at 52.5 receiving yards and 4.5 receptions, with a 30% chance to score a touchdown (15, 12 and 15 books).

Player prop markets imply 11.4 fantasy points for Josh Downs, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The books have Josh Downs at 50.5 receiving yards and 4.5 receptions, with a 26% chance to score a touchdown (15, 11 and 15 books).

That puts DK Metcalf 0.5 points ahead of Josh Downs on the books.

Injury status

DK Metcalf is not on the injury report.

Josh Downs is not on the injury report.

Usage before Week 3

Through Week 2, DK Metcalf played 96 percent of PIT snaps, drew 26 percent of the targets, earned 43 percent of the air yards and had 0 percent of the red zone chances.

DK Metcalf, Week 1 against ATL: 64 of 67 snaps, 10 targets and 4 catches for 40 yards.

DK Metcalf, Week 2 against NE: 68 of 70 snaps, 9 targets and 4 catches for 27 yards.

Through Week 2, Josh Downs played 86 percent of IND snaps, drew 22 percent of the targets, earned 30 percent of the air yards and had 11 percent of the red zone chances.

Josh Downs, Week 1 against BAL: 48 of 54 snaps, 4 targets and 2 catches for 37 yards.

Josh Downs, Week 2 against KC: 54 of 65 snaps, 9 targets and 7 catches for 72 yards.

Their 2025 seasons

In 2025, DK Metcalf played 15 games for PIT and scored 187.2 PPR points, 12.5 a game, finishing WR26.

He caught 59 of 99 targets for 850 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 13 red zone targets and 436 air yards.

He was on the field for 87 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

DK Metcalf, Week 16 of 2025 against DET: 65 of 74 snaps, 9 targets and 4 catches for 42 yards, 8.2 PPR points.

In 2025, Josh Downs played 16 games for IND and scored 136.4 PPR points, 8.5 a game, finishing WR44.

He caught 58 of 88 targets for 566 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 14 red zone targets and 422 air yards.

He was on the field for 58 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

Josh Downs, Week 18 of 2025 against HOU: 1 carry for -5 yards, 4 targets and 4 catches for 61 yards, 9.6 PPR points.

Their other Week 3 calls

• Start Dalton Kincaid over DK Metcalf.
• Start DK Metcalf over DJ Moore.
• Start Emeka Egbuka over DK Metcalf.
• Start Josh Downs over Denzel Boston.
• Start Josh Downs over Devaughn Vele.
• Start Josh Downs over DJ Moore.