Overlooked Colts Receiver Ready to Prove His Worth

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is looking forward to Year 2.

Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts’ offense has some of the most potential in the NFL with young playmakers spread across the field. Wide receiver Josh Downs is one of those playmakers, showcasing elite quickness and reliable hands in his rookie season last year. 

Indy’s third-round pick tallied 68 catches for 771 yards and two touchdowns in his first year in the league, earning himself consistent playing time in coach Shane Steichen’s offense. The rookie broke Indianapolis’ franchise record for most receptions by a first-year player, besting a record held by Bill Brooks that stood for nearly 40 years. 

Downs isn’t satisfied yet. "Reggie (Wayne) was telling me that they're going to be game planning for me more this year, just because there's a year under my belt," Downs said (via Colts.com). "I left some plays on the field last year, but everybody does that. I looked at those plays. I'm trying to identify coverages better – things like that."

AR to Josh Downs is going to feed families this season🤫 #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/jWJkn5uCRE

— Colts Coverage (@Colts_Coverage) May 6, 2024

Looking towards his second year, Downs is aiming to build on a strong rookie season that saw a few hiccups along the way. Originally planning to play alongside Anthony Richardson, the receiver instead had the majority of his targets coming from backup quarterback Gardner Minshew. That didn’t stop him from being a weapon.

It took only seven weeks for the rookie to record his first 100-yard game, notching 125 yards against the Cleveland Browns in a controversial loss. That game ended up as Downs’ only 100-yard performance on the year, but it wasn’t his fault. The rookie fought through a lingering knee injury that stuck with him until the end of the season.

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Josh Downs just put up a LEGACY game against the Cleveland Browns:

• 6 targets (led team)
• 5 receptions (led team)
• 125 receiving yards (led team)
• 1 receiving TD

Downs is now up to 33 receptions for 401 yards on the season and is on pace for NEARLY 1,000 receiving… pic.twitter.com/tq1wjo5Pag

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) October 22, 2023

Now, fully healthy and back with Richardson, Downs is hoping to learn more off the field that will help his second-year numbers. Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter praised Downs’ football IQ in recent comments:

“Younger players sort of learn and you hope that factors into their game when you see them on the field next fall. Josh is really intelligent. He likes talking through that stuff. Ultimately, as a receiver, you love going and getting open and catching the ball.”

- Colts OC Jim Bob Cooter

As the season approaches, don’t forget about the Colts’ slot weapon lined up next to Michael Pittman Jr. and AD Mitchell.

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