PFF Ranks Colts Receiver Top-10 in Important Stat

Indianapolis Colts second-year receiver Josh Downs put up promising numbers during his rookie year.

Dec 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. (24) shoves Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) as he rushes the ball along the sideline during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports / Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts have an interesting set of wide receivers heading into the 2024 season. Michael Pittman Jr. is the undisputed number-one option, followed by Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, and rookie Adonai Mitchell. While Pittman takes a massive share of the receiving duties, Downs had an impressive rookie campaign in 2023.

In a recent piece from Pro Football Focus highlighting the top-10 receivers in 2023 at getting open, Lauren Gray lists Downs among names like Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams) and Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens). Gray goes into further detail in Downs's number 10 ranking (tied with Elijah Moore - Cleveland Browns).

Downs finished second among Colts receivers in touches (68) and target rate (24.5%) in his rookie season. The former Tar Heel recorded 771 receiving yards and generated a team-best 99.2 passer rating when targeted. Downs gained 30 first downs and had 10 receptions of 20-plus yards. He also led the team in missed tackles forced (nine) and average yards after the catch (5.5). Downs could face competition from rookie Adonai Mitchell for targets next season but should be entrenched as the primary slot receiver moving forward.

- Lauren Gray | Pro Football Focus

In his rookie season Downs had to adjust from Anthony Richardson to Gardner Minshew after week five, two drastically different quarterbacks. However, this didn't seem to shake Downs at all. The numbers pointed out by Gray (catches and receiving yards) ranked second on the Colts only to the target-hog Pittman (156 targets in 16 games). This shows Downs is already on his way to a big-time role in Shane Steichen's offense.

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Another point Gray makes is Downs's ability to make defenders miss and YAC (yards after catch) prowess, which he generally isn't associated with on the surface. As displayed in Kent Lee Platte's Relative Athletic Score, Downs isn't just a route technician with incredible hands, he's also a lightning bolt with fantastic quickness and burst.

Josh Downs was drafted with pick 79 of round 3 in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 8.99 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 309 out of 3062 WR from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/NN3x1yQmYo pic.twitter.com/HzhE85wbSU

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2023

Downs may also be 5'9" and around 170 pounds, but he plays far larger as a pass-catcher, hauling in 69.4% of his 98 targets in 2023. Downs showed a habit of making big-time plays and shined when counted upon. He even made plays during games when limited by a knee injury. The Frankfurt contest against the New England Patriots sticks out, with Minshew hitting Downs for a phenomenal catch while he was a bit slowed by the injury above. This catch sealed the game for Indianapolis to take a narrow 10-6 victory.

GARDNER MINSHEW. JOSH DOWNS.

📺: #INDvsNE on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpceuE pic.twitter.com/W5iQmDHXaa

— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023

Downs can capitalize off a strong 2023 season in year two, especially if Richardson can remain under center. Also, adding in a dose of running back Jonathan Taylor and Steichen's playbook could help Downs achieve breakout status in 2024 when it's all said and done.

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