One of the Indianapolis Colts' most compelling breakout candidates is a receiver entering a contract year.
There are several Indianapolis Colts veterans who are being relied upon to take their games to the next level this season; one of the most significant examples being wide receiver Josh Downs, who also has the added motivation of entering a contract year.
Downs is coming off a surprisingly down season in 2025, when he posted career lows in most meaningful categories, catching 58-of-88 targets for 566 yards (9.8 avg.) and four touchdowns. However, as much as anything else, his production issues were tied to the Colts trying to figure out how to get everyone in the passing game involved after spending a first-round draft pick on tight end Tyler Warren, who began sharing some of the situational roles Downs had always occupied.
The Colts have since cleared space in the passing game for the likes of Downs, Warren, and Alec Pierce to take on bigger roles after trading away Michael Pittman Jr.
"I love Downs. As the league moves to bigger players who can block, few teams still employ the classic slot receiver. But the Colts do, as 76% of Downs' targets came from the slot last season (led the league)," Solak wrote. "Now, with Michael Pittman Jr. gone to Pittsburgh, Downs will no longer be a starter solely in three-receiver sets -- he should also see plenty of snaps in two-receiver looks alongside the recently extended Alec Pierce.
"I'm not here to predict a full Jaxon Smith-Njigba explosion from Downs as he works his way into more of a hybrid role; Downs is much shorter and lighter than JSN. But I do think Downs shares Smith-Njigba's fluidity as a route runner, which should open him up for deeper targets as coach Shane Steichen manufactures free releases for him off the line. Downs is 111th in air yards per target among 121 high-volume wide receivers since he entered the league in 2023. If Steichen just gets him up to an average depth, Downs would be in line for a breakout year in production."
In 47 career games, Downs has caught 198-of-293 targets for 2,140 yards (10.8 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. He's also returned 30 punts for 9.7 yards per return.
He has been a reliable pass-catcher for the Colts out of the slot since 2023 — 1,530 snaps in the slot, 438 out wide, and 17 from the backfield — but he's expected to play more on the outside this year, with increased usage.
Just take it from his head coach.
“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.”
