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

THE FF CALL

Slight lean: Josh Downs

+0.7 projected edge · PPR

Start Josh Downs over Michael Mayer for Week 7 PPR: 8.6 projected points versus 7.9.

Josh Downs: 7.0 FP recent scoring average; 3.75% matchup reduction against MIN.
Michael Mayer: 11.3 FP recent scoring average; 8.75% matchup reduction against LAR.

Forecast updated Oct 25, 2026, 8:46 AM ET · PPR

FF PICK

Josh Downs

WR · INDStats & schedule

8.6FF projected

↑ +0.2 vs ESPN

at MIN

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Michael Mayer

TE · LVStats & schedule

7.9FF projected

↓ -0.5 vs ESPN

vs LAR

Sun 4:25 PM ET

Why this pick?

Josh Downs

Fortified8.6

ESPN8.4

Sleeper9.2

FantasyPros—

Josh Downs faces MIN in Week 7. Recent scoring average: 7.0 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 3.75%.

Michael Mayer

Fortified7.9

ESPN8.4

Sleeper7.2

FantasyPros—

Michael Mayer faces LAR in Week 7. Recent scoring average: 11.3 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 8.75%.

Josh Downs projects for 8.6 points in PPR scoring, 0.7 more than Michael Mayer. The gap is small; late injury news or your league’s scoring can change the choice.

Updated Oct 25, 2026, 8:46 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.