Colts' Rookie WR Shows Promise in Debut vs. Jaguars

Indianapolis Colts rookie WR Josh Downs figures to gain a bigger role in the offense as the season goes along.

The Indianapolis Colts dropped their first game of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars by a score of 31-21. However, with how new and inexperienced the Colts roster is as a whole, wins aren’t the most important number this season. 

While quarterback Anthony Richardson is the most prominent and prolific rookie for the Colts, wide receiver Josh Downs is also making continuous strides and had a good debut himself on Sunday.

Downs snagged three catches for 30 receiving yards and a long of 22. He would also be targeted seven times (second-most for the game).

These types of numbers aren’t going to jump off the page necessarily. But, when factoring in that veteran Isaiah McKenzie was thought to be the Week 1 starting slot receiver not long ago, it’s indicative of how quickly Downs is improving and learning his craft and connection with Richardson. He’ll start smoothing out the catch percentage sooner rather than later.

For the divisional contest against the Jaguars, Downs would grab some decent grades from Pro Football Focus. Below are the receiving marks and ranks (WRs/TEs) for Downs among the Colts in the Jaguars showdown:

• Overall Offense: 55.8 (Fourth)

• Receiving: 55.6 (Fourth)

Keeping in mind that Downs was playing nearly every offensive snap, these numbers aren’t bad for a rookie who gets graded with receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and tight end Kylen Granson, both of whom had great performances and efficiency on Sunday.

What isn’t mentioned is who Downs played better than as far as PFF grades. Those who were behind the rookie were veteran tight end Mo Alie-Cox and receiver Alec Pierce, mostly across the board.

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Downs’ numbers and overall performance didn’t light the world on fire, but it will take time. When the former North Carolina Tarheel was in rhythm in college, he was nearly unstoppable from a volume-receiving standpoint.

In three seasons he'd play 34 games, and snag 202 catches for 2,483 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. What’s more impressive is that 195 of the catches, 2,364 of the receiving yards, and 19 of the touchdowns came in the 21-22 seasons alone. As mentioned many times, this type of consistency and efficient catching drew the eye of the Colts' receiving coach Reggie Wayne, who pounded the draft table to get Downs.

The Colts would take the chance and have been more impressed week after week by what Downs brings to Shane Steichen’s offense.

Outlook

Look for Downs’ knack of finding rhythm, running crisp routes, and making volume catches in traffic to start emerging with Richardson at quarterback. After seeing that he was targeted an impressive seven times in his first game as an NFL receiver, it’s apparent that Richardson and Steichen like Downs’ presence in this offense.

He will only continue to get better with time and experience as a professional pass-catcher. This development could move even quicker if he and Richardson get more fluid in their communication with one another.

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