Josh DownsorMalik Nabers?

Week 4 start/sit decision, wide receiver versus wide receiver.

Our call

Start Josh Downs

Josh Downs outscores Malik Nabers in 56% of simulations.

Malik Nabers still comes out ahead in the other 44%, so Josh Downs is the better bet, not a sure thing. Malik Nabers projects 0.3 half-PPR points more, but more of that rests on the occasional big game. Josh Downs has the better matchup against the Washington Commanders (23% more than average to WRs); Malik Nabers faces the Arizona Cardinals (6% more than average to WRs).

Range of outcomes, half-PPR

Josh Downs
Floor
3.3
Median
8.0
Ceiling
15.2
Big game (20+):
3%
Dud (under 6):
32%
Malik Nabers
Floor
1.5
Median
7.0
Ceiling
19.5
Big game (20+):
9%
Dud (under 6):
45%

Each week is simulated thousands of times from the projection and the player’s usual week-to-week swing. Floor and ceiling are the 10th and 90th percentile: 8 weeks in 10 land between them.

StatJosh DownsWR, IND, Sun, Oct 4, 9:30 a.m. ETMalik NabersWR, NYG, Sun, Oct 4, 1:00 p.m. ET
Half-PPR projection8.89.1
PPR projection11.211.3
Standard projection6.56.9
Rank this weekWR29WR27
Matchupat WASvs ARI
InjuryNoneNone
2026 points per game8.55.2
Last season per game6.812.0
Snap share, last game68%78%
Trade value—1