Even with missing two games at the start of the season, Indianapolis Colts’ second-year receiver Josh Downs has been one of the most productive slot receivers in football.
On the year, Downs has totaled 31 receptions from the slot, which is the fifth-most in football. He also ranks fifth in receiving yards from that positioning as well, has the second-most touchdowns, and is eighth in total YAC.
Downs has accomplished this while playing in only seven games after he missed the first two with a high-ankle sprain. In the receptions, YAC, and yards categories, no players ahead of Downs in those rankings have played fewer games than him.
“He is one of the smartest, cerebral players I’ve ever been around as a young player,” said Shane Steichen on Wednesday. “Knowing coverages, how to attack it, finding the dead spots. And I think he’s only gonna develop and continuing to grow in that area.”
Overall, this season, Downs has caught 38 passes for 411 yards with three touchdowns. Of those 38 catches, 22 have gone for a first down and moved the chains.
On an Indianapolis Colts’ offense that has lacked consistency in the passing game, Downs has helped provide that. He’s caught 72 percent of his passes, and even over the last two games where the offense has sputtered, Downs has totaled 10 receptions for 169 yards and a score.
Downs put together an impressive rookie season in 2023 that seemed to fly under the radar, despite him hauling in 68 passes for 771 yards with two touchdowns.
Now, he appears to be in the midst of making that Year 2 leap that so many successful NFL players make–and as Steichen said, he’s only going to continue to grow and develop from here.
(This article has been updated to provide additional information.)