Colts Rookie Receiver in Hall of Fame Company

Despite a tough season-ending loss to the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts rookie Josh Downs made franchise history to conclude the year.

The Indianapolis Colts were facing a win-and-in situation on Saturday night against the Houston Texans. If Indy could pull off the divisional victory, they’d be a lock for the postseason. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the cards, as the Colts would lose 23-19 at Lucas Oil Stadium, ending their 2023 season.

However, rookie wide receiver Josh Downs made franchise history.

Downs unseated Ring of Honor members Bill Brooks (65) and NFL Hall-of-Famer Marvin Harrison (64) for the most catches in a season by a Colts rookie with 68.

There's a new #1 in the franchise record book. pic.twitter.com/zyQpuJvZtj

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 7, 2024

This is an impressive feat considering the names above, especially Harrison, who held the NFL record for most catches in a single season for years (143 in 2002) until New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas broke it in 2019 (149).

Downs was drafted in the third round (79th overall) out of North Carolina in the 2023 NFL Draft. Indy hadn’t been known to take a receiver of Downs’ stature (5’9", 171), but general manager Chris Ballard went against his tendencies, trusting Indy’s wide receivers coach and former superstar pass-catcher Reggie Wayne with his opinion.

Wayne pounded the table for Downs to be drafted by the Colts, and they listened. So far, it’s been an incredible value pick and the former Tarheel has meshed into Shane Steichen’s offense beautifully.

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With two quarterbacks throwing him passes for his debut season (Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew), Downs didn’t miss a beat, regardless of the field general. He also dazzled with catch percentage, hauling in 69.4% of passes thrown to him on 98 targets.

Downs will look to build upon an incredible start to his career in the 2024 offseason as he continues gathering rapport with Richardson and growing with the team. It will also be interesting to see who the Colts try to potentially add to the receiving corps to help Downs develop. Currently, Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce are the notable names that complement the rookie in the position group.

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The Bottom Line

With the sky as the limit for the young pass catcher in a dynamic offense like Steichen’s, it will be exciting to see what Downs becomes in it.

He’s already off to the best start he could ask for, and immediately finds himself in the same company as two Indy Ring of Honor members, one being an NFL Hall-of-Famer. 

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