Start DK Metcalf or Josh Downs? Week 5

Our Week 5 call

Start DK Metcalf over Josh Downs in Week 5.

Market-based projections have DK Metcalf at 12.4 points and Josh Downs at 12.3, a gap of 0.1. That is inside the noise of a single catch, so treat it as close to a coin flip.

What the market projects

Player markets imply 12.5 fantasy points for DK Metcalf, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The market has DK Metcalf at 53.5 receiving yards and 4.5 receptions, with a 37% chance to score a touchdown (15, 13 and 17 market sources).

Player markets imply 12.3 fantasy points for Josh Downs, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The market has Josh Downs at 57.5 receiving yards and 4.5 receptions, with a 29% chance to score a touchdown (15, 13 and 16 market sources).

That puts DK Metcalf 0.1 points ahead of Josh Downs on the market projections.

Injury status

DK Metcalf is not on the injury report.

Josh Downs is not on the injury report.

Usage before Week 5

Through Week 4, DK Metcalf played 96 percent of PIT snaps, drew 23 percent of the targets, earned 34 percent of the air yards and had 4 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.

DK Metcalf, Week 3 against CIN: 59 of 62 snaps, 5 targets and 3 catches for 31 yards, 1 touchdown.

DK Metcalf, Week 4 against CLE: 70 of 72 snaps, 9 targets and 5 catches for 115 yards.

Through Week 4, Josh Downs played 79 percent of IND snaps, drew 23 percent of the targets, earned 36 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.

Josh Downs, Week 3 against HOU: 48 of 71 snaps, 11 targets and 5 catches for 77 yards.

Josh Downs, Week 4 against WAS: 51 of 66 snaps, 4 targets and 3 catches for 16 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.

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.

Their other Week 5 calls

• Start DK Metcalf over Carnell Tate.
• Start Christian Watson over DK Metcalf.
• Start DK Metcalf over Denzel Boston.
• Start Christian Watson over Josh Downs.
• Start Davante Adams over Josh Downs.
• Start George Pickens over Josh Downs.