Should I start Josh Downs or Michael Mayer this week? Week 7 Half-PPR (2026)

THE FF CALL

Slight lean: Josh Downs

+0.6 projected edge · Half-PPR

Start Josh Downs over Michael Mayer for Week 7 Half-PPR: 6.6 projected points versus 6.0.

Josh Downs: 5.3 FP recent scoring average; 5% matchup reduction against MIN.
Michael Mayer: 8.6 FP recent scoring average; 8.75% matchup reduction against LAR.

Forecast updated Oct 25, 2026, 3:17 AM ET · Half-PPR

FF PICK

Josh Downs

WR · INDStats & schedule

6.6FF projected

↑ +0.2 vs ESPN

at MIN

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Michael Mayer

TE · LVStats & schedule

6.0FF projected

↓ -0.4 vs ESPN

vs LAR

Sun 4:25 PM ET

Why this pick?

Josh Downs

Fortified6.6

ESPN6.4

Sleeper7.4

FantasyPros—

Josh Downs faces MIN in Week 7. Recent scoring average: 5.3 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 5%.

Michael Mayer

Fortified6.0

ESPN6.5

Sleeper5.5

FantasyPros—

Michael Mayer faces LAR in Week 7. Recent scoring average: 8.6 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 8.75%.

Josh Downs projects for 6.6 points in half-PPR scoring, 0.6 more than Michael Mayer. The gap is small; late injury news or your league’s scoring can change the choice.

Updated Oct 25, 2026, 3:17 AM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

Actuals, projections & playoff outlook

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Scoring & lineup notes

PPR awards one point per reception; half-PPR awards 0.5; standard awards none. Custom league rules can change the result. Confirm active status, kickoff and lineup locks. Projections are estimates; completed-week scores are actuals.