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: 11.0 versus 10.5 projected FP in PPR. A longer-term hold can be a different decision; compare the outlook below before choosing who to drop.

Forecast updated Nov 3, 5:52 AM ET · PPR

THE ALTERNATIVE

Josh Downs

WR · IND · vs DAL

Stats & schedule ›

10.5FF 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 ›

11.0FF 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 10.5 PPR points against DAL this week. His recent scoring average is 8.3 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 2.5%. 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: 10.5 FP
ESPN: 8.6 FP
Sleeper: 10.6 FP
FantasyPros: 9.6 FP

Ladd McConkey

Ladd McConkey projects for 11.0 PPR points against HOU this week. His recent scoring average is 7.7 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: 11.0 FP
ESPN: 10.8 FP
Sleeper: 12.0 FP
FantasyPros: 9.8 FP

Roster data as of Nov 3, 5:30 AM ET / Nov 3, 5:30 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	29.6 FP3/3 scheduled games projected	33.4 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected
Remaining regular-season schedule	84.5 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · 1 bye	108.0 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected
Weeks 15–18	36.8 FP4/4 scheduled games projected	41.4 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Josh Downs	Ladd McConkey
Week 9	10.5 FPvs DAL	11.0 FPvs HOUHigher projection
Week 10	9.5 FPvs MIA	11.1 FPvs BALHigher projection
Week 11	9.6 FPvs HOU	11.3 FPvs NYJHigher projection
Week 12	9.0 FPvs NYG	11.0 FPvs NEHigher projection
Week 13	BYE	10.6 FPvs TBHigher projection
Week 14	9.1 FPvs PHI	11.6 FPvs LVHigher projection
Week 15	10.3 FPvs TEN	10.3 FPvs SF
Week 16	9.1 FPvs CIN	11.2 FPvs MIAHigher projection
Week 17	8.2 FPvs CLE	9.7 FPvs KCHigher projection
Week 18	9.1 FPvs JAC	10.2 FPvs DENHigher projection

Outlook updated Nov 3, 5:56 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.

15.6 FP24.1 FP

Puka NacuaWR · 99.9% rostered
23.8
CeeDee LambWR · 99.8% rostered
21.3
Ja'Marr ChaseWR · 99.9% rostered
20.5
Tee HigginsWR · 97.4% rostered
20.0
Amon-Ra St. BrownWR · 99.8% rostered
19.2

What about Ladd McConkey versus these pickups?

WR · Week 9

Caleb Douglas11.1projected FP

Ladd McConkey11.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗WR · Week 9

Antonio Williams7.8projected FP

Ladd McConkey11.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗WR · Week 9

DeMario Douglas9.4projected FP

Ladd McConkey11.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗WR · Week 9

Michael Wilson11.0projected FP

Ladd McConkey11.0projected 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