Matt Okada of NFL.com named Indianapolis Coltswide receiver Josh Downs his "start of the week" for Week 4 of the fantasy football season.
As Okada notes, the Washington Commanders, the Colts' opponent this week, have allowed the most fantasy points to the wide receiver position.
"Downs has topped five catches and 70 receiving yards in back-to-back weeks, totaling 20 targets over those two contests with Alec Pierce dealing with an ankle injury. In Weeks 2 and 3, Downs was targeted on 32.8% of his routes and averaged 2.4 yards per route run, totaling 26.9 fantasy points despite not scoring a touchdown," Okada wrote.
Throughout his career, Downs has been a very reliable target from the slot. But this season, with Alec Pierce sidelined, he's seen his opportunities
increase. Downs' 22 targets are the most on the team and he leads the Colts in receiving yards by a good margin.
In addition to the increased production, how Downs has been utilized has changed as well. Without Pierce, 26.8% of Downs' snaps this season have come lined up out wide, according to PFF, which is a career high. He's also been targeted more downfield, with an average depth of target of 11.0 yards this season -- another career-high. As a result, Downs is averaging 13.3 yards per catch -- another career-high.
He continues to be very effective with the ball in his hands as well, picking up YAC.
Okada also mentioned Keenan Allen as a starting option this week, although he is questionable for Sunday's game.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts WR named 'start of the week' in fantasy football Week 4
