Indianapolis Colts fourth-year wide receiver Josh Downs is ready to flourish in a new role.
The 2026 season was one of adjustment for Josh Downs, but now his patience will be paying off as the fourth-year receiver steps into his biggest role yet inside the Indianapolis Colts offense.
Last year, the Colts had a full house of pass-catchers, with Michael Pittman Jr. still ranking atop the receiver corps and the team adding tight end Tyler Warren in the draft.
Fast forward to this year and Pittman has been traded, which will open up opportunities for Downs, Warren, and newly-paid Alec Pierce.
“Yeah, I think obviously losing Pitt, I think Downs, his role will step up a little bit more, more targets for him," Colts head coach Shane Steichen said this offseason. "He's a (heck) of a player. We've played him in the slot a long time. Get him some reps on the outside as well in the spring and see where that goes. But I'm excited about Josh and his development since he's been here.”
The opportunity for Downs to flourish is clear to see, which is why, when CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles tabbed 50 under-the-radar players across the NFL who could help shape the league's season, Downs was one of the first players mentioned.
"Downs is an undersized, slot-only speedster who will take on a bigger role this season with Michael Pittman Jr. traded to the Steelers," Pereles wrote. "After averaging 11.2 yards per catch across his first two seasons, that figure dropped to 9.8 last year. Expect Downs to be heavily involved, especially in the quick game, as Daniel Jones works his way back from a torn Achilles."
Downs is coming off his least statistically productive season as the Colts figured out their passing game. He had 58 receptions (88 targets) for 566 yards (9.8 avg.) and four touchdowns, which were all career-low marks except for the touchdowns.
Despite the low numbers, Downs was one of the most-targeted players in the league when defenses brought pressure, proving to be a safety blanket for Daniel Jones and the Colts' quarterbacks.
Not only will there be more reps and targets available with Pittman out of the picture, but Downs's role is evolving as well.
He previously saw a lot of work as the slot receiver in three-receivers sets, but now he's going to play much more on the outside, even in two-receiver sets. It's not uncharted territory for him, but it hasn't been very common.
In his three seasons in the NFL, Downs has 1,530 snaps in the slot, 438 out wide, and 17 from the backfield. It was more skewed before in college at North Carolina, as Downs had 1,472 snaps in the slot, 151 outside, and 49 in the backfield.
The new opportunity could easily present Downs with the chance to flip his numbers from the worst of his career to the best in a matter of a season.
