Zay Flowers or Josh Downs: Who should I start in Week 9 Fantasy Football?

Zay Flowers and Josh Downs have had their moments this year, but arguably, Flowers has had more moments than Downs. However, with the recent trade for Diontae Johnson, Flowers could see his workload cut by a significant fraction. That said, will the cut be enough to bench him? Here's a look at both receivers and a recommendation for who you should start in Week 9.

Is Zay Flowers a good pick in Week 9?

Zay Flowers at Washington Commanders v Baltimore Ravens - Source: Getty

Diontae Johnson will be in town this week but with so little time between now and their Week 9 showdown against the Denver Broncos, don't expect Johnson to significantly eat into Flowers' targets this week. According to Sportskeeda's Start/Sit Optimizer, Flowers is due 16.4 points this week.

This breaks down to expectations of six catches for 74 yards with a 30% chance of a touchdown. Of course, to get to 16 points, a touchdown will be required with this yardage.

Is Josh Downs a good pick in Week 9?

Josh Downs at Pittsburgh Steelers v Indianapolis Colts - Source: Getty

Josh Downs has been up and down in his time with the Colts this season. Most of it has been due to the instability in the passing game. Between Anthony Richardson coming in and out of the lineup with a spotty accuracy percentage hovering under 50%, it is tough for any receiver to be productive.

However, with Joe Flacco set to start this week, the Colts suddenly have a decently reliable option at wide receiver this week. Sportskeeda's Start/Sit Optimizer appears to believe this to be the case as well. Downs is expected to earn 14.3 points against the Minnesota Vikings.

Whom should I start between Zay Flowers and Josh Downs in Week 9?

Josh Downs loses to Zay Flowers in Week 9

Zay Flowers and Josh Downs are in for some solid weeks, per Sportskeeda's Start/Sit Optimizer. As such, either player or even both players are an advisable option. However, for managers struggling to pick a receiver like Lord Farquaad struggling to pick a princess in Shrek, Flowers is expected to be a couple of points more productive.

Flowers is projected to earn 16.4 points, while Downs is expected to earn 14.3 points. Of course, Broncos fans believe this to mean that Flowers will have a field day matched up against Patrick Surtain II. While Surtain has been one of the most productive cornerbacks in the league, he is only human, and the Start/Sit Optimizer predicts a human day for Surtain.

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