Josh Downs Gives Colts, Reggie Wayne Electric Weapon at WR

Catching the eye of wide receiver coach and Indianapolis Colts legend Reggie Wayne, Josh Downs could be primed for a big role in Indy.

Andrew Moore | Apr 29, 2023

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Indianapolis Colts

Since Chris Ballard became the general manager of the Indianapolis Colts in 2017, the Colts have never drafted a wide receiver under 6'0" and 200 pounds.

Instead, the Colts have opted for bigger, more physical wide receivers that excelled in contested catch situations. Players like Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and Mike Strachan come to mind.

On Friday night, that trend finally came to an end. The Colts selected wide receiver Josh Downs with the No.79 pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. At 5'9" and 171 pounds, Downs is easily the smallest receiver the Colts have drafted since T.Y. Hilton in 2012.

With Ballard and the Colts having such strong size requirements for their wide receivers, what made Indy change their minds and go with Downs? None other than wide receiver coach Reggie Wayne.

"I remember talking to Reggie Wayne a few weeks ago and he told me he needed me on his squad," Downs recalled on Friday. "I really took that to heart because Reggie Wayne is a great receiver. So whatever they want to use me, I know it’s going to be great."

Wayne is entering his second season as the wide receiver coach for the Colts. Before that, Wayne terrorized defenses for the Colts for 14 years and will likely be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday. It is safe to say Wayne knows what he is talking about when it comes to the wide receiver position.

Wayne became enamored with Downs at the NFL Scouting Combine. After watching Downs run routes, Wayne saw an elite ability from Downs to create separation. As the process continued, everything Wayne saw on film confirmed what he saw at the combine. Downs needed to be a Colt.

"At the (NFL) Combine, I remember after I got done running my routes Reggie Wayne came up to me and he said it’s not even close and he told me I was the best receiver there in my group, and I had first-round guys in that group as well," Downs explained. "I’m not going to name any names. But it’s been a good process. I met with Reggie Wayne a few weeks ago and he told me I’m explosive and he loves to see me play. It’s time to go."

One of Downs's best attributes as a wide receiver is his route running. He makes all his routes look the same until he makes his cut, giving defenders fits as they try to stick with him. His route running allows Downs to create separation and gives his quarterback the opportunity to make easy throws.

“Really instincts, but also I started training with this guy, Boo Mitchell," Downs admitted when asked how he learned to run routes. "I trained for a few years and then transitioned to (a) guy named Drew Johnson. I’d say running routes kind of was natural – the hesitations, the change of pace, the different lateral movements that kind of came from different trainers teaching me different things. It took off from there.

"I study routes, I watch different guys a lot – Davante Adams, Odell (Beckham Jr.), a lot of dudes. Being a receiver, I feel like running routes is obviously the most important thing besides catching the ball because if you can’t get open, what are you going to do? So yeah, learn routes from different guys and natural instincts from God.”

Downs also possesses some of the best hands in the entire draft class. He hardly ever drops a pass headed his way and is a threat to take any catch to the house. Combine that with 4.4 speed, and you have a dangerous weapon.

Below is an excerpt from the 2023 Indy Draft Guide on Downs's fit with the Colts:

Downs would be an automatic for the Colts if it were not for his size. His speed and route running will get him a lot of open looks and allow him to be successful in the slot. But at only 5’9” and 171 pounds, it is hard to see the Colts going so small at the position after already signing Isaiah McKenzie this offseason. Downs could have success in Indy, but he just does not fit their typical wide receiver profile.

Turns out, it did not matter that Downs did not fit the typical wide receiver profile for the Colts. Indy has forgone size requirements before if the player has other elite traits. Downs's route running and catching ability was too good to pass up.

Downs will fit seamlessly with Pittman and Pierce in Shane Steichen's offense. With both receivers playing primarily on the outside, Downs can play in the slot and use his route-running ability to his advantage.

"Michael Pittman Jr., he’s a great player," Downs remarked. "He’s made plays. He can mentor me. I just got off the phone with Deon Jackson, the running back. I just got off the phone with him about 20 minutes ago and talked to him as well. So, having an organization like the Colts – it’s surreal to even be a part of the organization."

More importantly, Downs will be able to grow up in the NFL with his fellow draft mate and quarterback Anthony Richardson. Like Richardson, Downs was a priority for the Colts. Now the two will work on creating a connection with one another.

"I talked to the GM (Ballard) and he said they’ve been looking at me and Anthony Richardson the whole time and it came to fruition. I’m very grateful to the organization and I thank God for this opportunity.”

The last time the Colts drafted a quarterback in the first round and a wide receiver in the third round was in 2012 when Indy selected Andrew Luck and Hilton. If Richardson and Downs can form the dynamic duo Luck and Hilton did, Colts fans would be in heaven.

"T.Y. Hilton is a legend," Downs said. "T.Y. Hilton is great. I hope to someday have that same status as him and make the Indianapolis Colts fans proud.”

With Steichen at the helm and Wayne's conviction on Downs, it is not farfetched to believe Luck-Hilton 2.0 could be Richardson and Downs.

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Published Apr 29, 2023

ANDREW MOORE

Andrew Moore is the Senior Analyst for Horseshoe Huddle and an Indianapolis Colts expert. Andrew is also the co-host of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast and the former co-host of A Colts Podcast.