Each week, you don’t know who’s going to start at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. Whether it’s Anthony Richardson or Joe Flacco, they have a superb pass-catcher to throw to in Josh Downs. The second-year wide receiver is having a great campaign for the 3-3 Colts. Downs missed the first two games of the season due to an ankle injury.
Without him, Indianapolis lost both games, falling to the Houston Texans and a Jordan Love-less Green Bay Packers squad. However, the Colts have won three of their last four games with Downs on the field. Every week, he gets open for short passes up the middle and beats out defenders downfield as well. He contributes elite route running and consistently creates separation, making him a force to be reckoned with.
Colts Youngster Has Served as an Offensive Weapon This Season
Josh Downs’ Career So Far
Downs played his college ball at North Carolina. During his three seasons with the Tar Heels, he caught 202 passes for 2,483 yards and 22 touchdowns. In his final year, he played with current New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, recording 94 receptions for 1,029 yards, and 11 touchdowns. He was named first-team All-ACC in 2021 and 2022.
Indianapolis selected Downs in the third round (79th overall pick) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Colts general manager Chris Ballard is often criticized for not making moves that fans want to see. But drafting Downs has certainly turned out to be a smart decision.
Downs quickly blossomed into one of the Colts’ most important players. The Georgia native had a fantastic Year 1 in Indy. His 68 catches broke a Colts rookie receptions record, set back in 1986 by fellow wide receiver Bill Brooks. Downs also averaged 11.3 yards per catch and had 771 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his debut season.
This year, Downs has been on a tear in his last three games. During that span, he has caught 26 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. He was instrumental in the Colts’ recent win over the Tennessee Titans. In that 20-17 road victory, he had seven receptions for 66 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned four punts for 67 yards.
Can He Help the Colts Make the Playoffs?
The Colts haven’t made the playoffs since the 2020 campaign. They nearly pulled it off last season but lost to Houston in the regular-season finale. They have a chance to reach the postseason this year. It’s doubtful that they’ll beat out the Texans for the AFC South title. Yet, they could still earn one of the final wildcard spots if everything goes right.
Downs is becoming a star and has what it takes to help the Colts get to the playoffs. He, along with Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, who’s also having an exciting season, gives Indianapolis a talented wide receiver corps. Throw in running back Jonathan Taylor (when healthy) and the Colts have a good number of offensive weapons to help out Richardson or Flacco. If the team can avoid the injury bug and their struggling defense can approve, this can be a fun season for Downs and Co.
Main Photo: [Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean] – USA Today Sports
