Downs brings a complete profile to the mix after dominating in the slot playing for Phil Longo at UNC. He caught just under nine passes a game racking up over 1,000 yards and 11 TDs in 2022. Downs demanded similar volume playing with Sam Howell in 2021. He has a natural feel for how to beat zone and the lower ankle flexion to create consistent separation against man coverage. Downs' size (5-foot-9), small catch radius, and lack of vertical speed (testing time) could potentially be viewed as red flags in translating to the NFL, but he erases most doubts about his speed on game film. Downs' ability to win early in the route with his separation could make him a favorite for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson -- the easy "lay up" throws are often a big part of the game planning mix for first-year quarterbacks. If you see Richardson and Downs developing an early rapport in training camp, get Downs on your radar as a late-round target. In rookie-only drafts, he's a solid second-round pick.
Downs recorded eight receptions on 12 targets for 57 yards in Sunday's 22-19 overtime win over the Ravens.
Downs doubled his target total on the season with his performance Sunday, as he displayed rapport with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew. Volume was the most notable part of his performance, however, as his longest catch went for only 12 yards. Downs has made his mark in the short areas of the field in the first three games of his career, as he's tallied 15 receptions on 24 targets but totaled only 124 yards.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Four catches in Week 2 win
Rotowire
Downs brought in four of five targets for 37 yards in the Colts' 31-20 win over the Texans on Sunday.
Downs again served as the No. 3 receiver, but as was the case in his NFL debut Week 1, he was more productive than No. 2 wideout Alec Pierce (2-28). Downs has displayed solid rapport with both Anthony Richardson (concussion) and Gardner Minshew, so he'll remain an interesting deep-league option for a Week 3 road battle against the Ravens.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Three receptions in NFL debut
Rotowire
Downs started as the slot receiver and had three receptions for 30 yards on seven targets in Sunday's loss to Jacksonville. He played on 57 of the offense's 72 snaps.
Downs didn't have a big game in his NFL debut, but there were some encouraging signs. He was second on the team in targets, and Isaiah McKenzie, his preseason competition for the slot receiver role, played just one snap on offense. If rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson improves as a passer, Downs could be much more productive later in the season.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Favorite for slot duties
Rotowire
Downs is believed to be the front-runner for the Colts' slot receiver job, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Downs has been competing with veteran Isaiah McKenzie for the job, but the rookie has had a "big summer" at Colts camp and appears to have the leg up in three-wide sets alongside Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce. With Anthony Richardson under center, however, it's unclear if Downs will find his way into 2023 fantasy value in an offense that might be able to only support one pass-catcher.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Makes two catches Saturday
Rotowire
Downs reeled in two of three targets for 20 yards during Saturday's 24-17 preseason win against the Bears.
Downs returned the opening kickoff for 14 yards, and his first potential target occurred on the Colts' initial drive, but it was negated by an offensive pass interference call by teammate Pharaoh Brown. In addition to his contributions through the air and the kick return, Downs also had a five-yard punt return. Considering Indianapolis sat its starters Saturday, Downs' work on offense came with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew. Downs will look to continue making inroads on a regular role in the team's offense in this Thursday's exhibition at Philadelphia.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Dealing with minor knee injury
Rotowire
Downs missed practice Thursday with a knee injury, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.
Coach Shane Steichen described it as "a little bit of a knee issue" without elaborating any further. The third-round pick out of UNC isn't likely to be part of a high-flying pass attack his rookie year, but he did find a good place to earn early snaps once he moves past the knee injury, as Michael Pittman is the only player on Indy's roster with a 600-yard receiving season to his name. Alec Pierce had 593 yards as a rookie second-round pick last year, but it's possible he'd see fewer targets than Downs even if he's the No. 2 receiver in terms of snaps and the rookie is the No. 3.
