Who should I pick up: Josh Downs or Ladd McConkey?

The claim now. The weeks ahead. Make room for the right player.

THE PICKUP CALL

For this week: Ladd McConkey

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up Ladd McConkey over Josh Downs: 9.0 versus 8.7 projected FP in Half-PPR. A longer-term hold can be a different decision; compare the outlook below before choosing who to drop.

Forecast updated Nov 3, 6:38 AM ET · Half-PPR

THE ALTERNATIVE

Josh Downs

WR · IND · vs DAL

Stats & schedule ›

8.7FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

62.6%rostered on ESPN-0.10 pp recent change

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Ladd McConkey

WR · LAC · vs HOU

Stats & schedule ›

9.0FF projected FP

Nov 8, 4:05 PM ET

85.0%rostered on ESPN-0.06 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Ladd McConkey is the stronger immediate points option. Josh Downs is more widely available across ESPN leagues, but league-wide ownership cannot tell us who is available in yours. For a WR vacancy, compare the immediate matchup with the weeks you actually need covered. A rising roster percentage can explain interest in a player; it does not increase his projected score. If you must drop someone, check the full roster in GamePlan before making the claim.

Josh Downs

Josh Downs projects for 8.7 Half-PPR points against DAL this week. His recent scoring average is 6.6 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 6.25%. He is rostered in 62.6% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.10 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 8.7 FP
ESPN: 6.9 FP
Sleeper: 8.6 FP
FantasyPros: 7.8 FP
Boosted Trees: 7.9 FP

Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:04 AM ET

Ladd McConkey

Ladd McConkey projects for 9.0 Half-PPR points against HOU this week. His recent scoring average is 6.4 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 5%. He is rostered in 85.0% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.06 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 9.0 FP
ESPN: 8.8 FP
Sleeper: 9.9 FP
FantasyPros: 8.1 FP
Boosted Trees: 8.7 FP

Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:04 AM ET

Roster data as of Nov 3, 6:30 AM ET / Nov 3, 6:30 AM ET. Recent change uses ESPN’s reported field; its lookback window is not specified. Saved model estimates are supporting evidence, not independent votes.

THE HOLD, NOT JUST THE CLAIM

What comes after this week?

Future FF estimates are separate from the current-week pickup call. Totals describe the player, not extra points for your roster. Weeks 15–18 are a calendar view; your league’s playoff weeks may differ. Green highlights the higher displayed projection when both outlooks are known; ties and incomplete comparisons stay neutral.

Window	Josh Downs	Ladd McConkey
Next 3 weeks	24.1 FP3/3 scheduled games projected	27.4 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected
Remaining regular-season schedule	67.8 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · 1 bye	88.6 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected
Weeks 15–18	29.3 FP4/4 scheduled games projected	33.8 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Josh Downs	Ladd McConkey
Week 9	8.7 FPvs DAL	9.0 FPvs HOUHigher projection
Week 10	7.6 FPvs MIA	9.1 FPvs BALHigher projection
Week 11	7.7 FPvs HOU	9.3 FPvs NYJHigher projection
Week 12	7.2 FPvs NYG	9.0 FPvs NEHigher projection
Week 13	BYE	8.6 FPvs TBHigher projection
Week 14	7.3 FPvs PHI	9.8 FPvs LVHigher projection
Week 15	8.3 FPvs TEN	8.4 FPvs SFHigher projection
Week 16	7.3 FPvs CIN	9.2 FPvs MIAHigher projection
Week 17	6.5 FPvs CLE	7.9 FPvs KCHigher projection
Week 18	7.1 FPvs JAC	8.2 FPvs DENHigher projection

Outlook updated Nov 3, 6:46 AM ET. Health and roles can change.

PICKUP RANKINGS · WR

More options. The same scale.

FF expected-points order within this pickup pool, with higher FF-minus-ESPN margin breaking displayed ties. Available model ranges provide context.

13.2 FP19.9 FP

Puka NacuaWR · 99.9% rostered
19.9
CeeDee LambWR · 99.8% rostered
17.6
Ja'Marr ChaseWR · 99.9% rostered
17.2
Tee HigginsWR · 97.4% rostered
16.8
Amon-Ra St. BrownWR · 99.8% rostered
15.8

What about Ladd McConkey versus these pickups?

WR · Week 9

Caleb Douglas8.9projected FP

Ladd McConkey9.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗WR · Week 9

Antonio Williams6.5projected FP

Ladd McConkey9.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗WR · Week 9

DeMario Douglas8.0projected FP

Ladd McConkey9.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗WR · Week 9

Jaylen Waddle9.2projected FP

Ladd McConkey9.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗

More WR pickup decisions

Recorded comparison interest informs the order where available, followed by nearby projected options. These are not claims that both players are free agents in your league.

WR · Week 9