Josh Downs Leads Week 9 Fantasy Receiver Picks

Josh Downs is the featured Week 9 start, with the Colts receiver set to face a Cowboys defense described as vulnerable to slot receivers. Dallas allows 11.5 yards per target to slot wideouts, compared with a league median of 8.05, and sits near the bottom in expected points allowed on passes while ranking 30th in pass-rush win percentage. The projection expects the Daniel Jones-to-Downs connection to benefit from the matchup and says the Colts may want to showcase Downs ahead of next week’s trade deadline.

Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Amon-Ra St. Brown are projected for more than 11 targets apiece. They, along with CeeDee Lamb, are described as matchup-proof. Nacua leads the projections in targets, at 11.8, and receptions, at 7.9; Smith-Njigba tops the yardage forecast at 108.0. Lamb has the highest anytime touchdown probability, at 56.2%.

Tee Higgins is ranked ahead of Ja’Marr Chase for the season, at WR5 compared with Chase at WR8. Higgins is on pace for about 1,700 receiving yards, which would be the NFL’s second-highest total.

Among higher-risk, higher-upside options, Tre Tucker is averaging 81.4 yards against top-eight coverage groups, though that comes from only three games. Caleb Douglas is highlighted for strong yards- and expected-points-added-per-target rankings, with a favorable game script projected against Detroit. KC Concepcion could benefit if Shedeur Sanders starts, but his results have been inconsistent.

Makai Lemon is a sit recommendation, with concerns about Joe Milton’s accuracy and Lemon’s 8.1 yards per catch. Buccaneers receivers are also fades: Baker Mayfield has attempted 14 passes across two games while dealing with a thumb injury.