Tag: Josh Downs

Colts’ 2023 rookie review: WR Josh Downs

Reviewing Josh Downs’ rookie season.

The Indianapolis Colts rookie class from the 2023 season had plenty of ups and downs throughout what was an encouraging campaign from the organization as a whole.

With their first season now behind them, it’s time to take a quick look back at how they performed and where they may be headed in the future. In our rookie review series, we’ll be taking a look at each 2023 draft pick currently still with the team.

We’ve already reviewed the rookie seasons for quarterback Anthony Richardson and cornerback Julius Brents thus far.

Now, it’s time to review the rookie season for wide receiver Josh Downs, who was selected with the No. 79 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Colts’ 2023 draft class ranked near bottom by CBS Sports

CBS Sports ranked the Colts’ 2023 draft class near the bottom of the league.

The Indianapolis Colts came out of the 2023 NFL draft with their biggest haul of the Chris Ballard era, which included several high-potential players at positions of need.

While there is still much promise surrounding the class, the 12-player draft haul didn’t have as big of an impact due to the amount of injuries that hit the group of rookies.

That is largely why CBS Sports had the Colts at No. 25 in their ranking of the 2023 draft classes across the league.

Year 1 hits: WR Josh Downs

Downs was a spark underneath for Gardner Minshew with 68 snags for 771 yards with two scores. JuJu Brents was average at his very best at corner, and fifth-round tight end Will Mallory turned in 18 receptions for 202 yards. Other than that, the Colts did not get much impact from the rest of their huge, 12-pick class. Of course Anthony Richardson waits to return from an early-season shoulder injury.

When it was all said and done, the Colts wound up selecting 12 players in the 2023 draft. Before they entered the regular season, three of those selections suffered season-ending injuries.

Safety Daniel Scott tore his ACL in OTAs, offensive tackle Jake Witt suffered a hip injury that placed him on season-ending injured reserve in August and edge rusher Titus Leo suffered an undisclosed knee injury that forced him to spend the entire season on the injured reserve list at the time of roster cuts.

Then, running back Evan Hull suffered a knee injury in Week 1 that knocked him out for the remainder of the season. Cornerback Julius Brents missed the entire spring workouts due to wrist surgery and didn’t make his season debut until Week 3 due to a hamstring injury.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson missed 1.5 games due to a concussion and then suffered the season-ending shoulder injury while Josh Downs picked up a knee injury halfway through the season that clearly limited his play during the second half.

It was a tough break to see so many rookies deal with injuries, especially given how vital it is for Day 3 picks to get their careers off to hot starts.

Regardless, it will be an important season for the majority of the class in Year 2 as they all look to prove these injuries won’t hinder their development.

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Colts’ report card: Grading the 2023 rookie class

Handing out some grades for the Colts’ 2023 rookie class.

The Indianapolis Colts added a ton of young talent in the 2023 NFL draft, selecting a franchise-record 12 selections.

2023 was a mixed bag for this rookie class as it showed promise but injuries limited a number of picks’ impact in year one.

Here, we are going to discuss the Colts rookies who played and contributed to the team in 2023.

Colts’ year-end awards from 2023 season

Handing out awards for the 2023 Colts.

The 2023 season ended in disappointing fashion for the Indianapolis Colts, but there are plenty of reasons to be excited for the future given what they showed throughout the campaign.

Considering where the Colts were just one year ago at this time, the outlook of the franchise is far more positive. They have a strong leader in Shane Steichen, a young quarterback in Anthony Richardson who shows promise, and some solid pieces to work off of this offseason.

But before we get into the thick of the offseason plans and predictions, it’s time to take a look back at the 2023 season and hand out some awards.

From MVP to the biggest disappointment, here are the Colts’ year-end awards from the 2023 campaign:

Colts’ top needs entering 2024 offseason

Taking a look at the top needs for the Colts entering the 2024 offseason.

With the 2023 season officially over for the Indianapolis Colts, they are officially in offseason mode.

As 2024 begins, Indianapolis will look to add to its roster and strengthen some perceived weaknesses through free agency, trades and the NFL draft.

With that being said, here are some of the top needs for Indianapolis moving forward:

Josh Downs breaks Indianapolis Colts Rookie record

Former UNC Wide Receiver Josh Downs breaks an Indianapolis Colts Franchise record Saturday night.

Former UNC Wide Receiver [autotag]Josh Downs[/autotag] has broken the Indianapolis Colts rookie record after grabbing his 66 recepition, surpassing NFL Hall of Fame WR Marvin Harrison (64) and Bill Brooks (65).

Downs broke the franchise record for receptions by a rookie in the Colt’s win and you’re in the playoffs game against the Houston Texans, where the speedy receiver finished with three receptions for 48 yards. The Colts weren’t able to secure the victory, losing in heartbreak fashion to officially end Down’s rookie campaign.

Downs this season have been special for Indianapolis, finishing with 68 receptions, 771 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He made a year of big splash plays, averaging 11.3 yards per catch.

The Colt’s investment has paid off already, pulling in these numbers while playing with a backup Quarterback. Downs should only improve next season with the return of Colt’s dynamic QB Anthony Richardson, making Downs a player to watch next year.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: Week 18

Start ’em, Sit ’em for fantasy football in Week 18.

Though most fantasy football championships have already been concluded, there’s a faction of leagues holding the crucial, final matchup in Week 18.

Though that’s not recommended considering the implications of fantasy studs sitting out the final week of the regular season, we’re still here to help with those lineup decisions.

WATCH: Josh Downs create the Jumpman logo on 50-yard splash play

WATCH: Former UNC Wide Receiver Josh Downs creates the Jumpman logo on a 50-yard splash play.

It’s been a big season for Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver [autotag]Josh Downs[/autotag], who continues to prove to be a great pick.

Downs again showed off his ability to make a splash play, this time doing the jump man logo to snag the pass from Quarterback Gardner Minshew for a 50-yard play. Downs has played spectacularly this year for the Colts, playing with two different style quarterbacks this season, the initial starter Anthony Richardson, who suffered a season-ending injury, and Minshew.

The Colts find themselves in the mix for playoffs, and their versatile weapons in the receiving core have made a huge difference. Watch below Downs’ 50-yard splash play.

Downs has 65 receptions for 723 receiving yards this season, ranking 6th best for NFL rookies. Downs and the Colts will be back in action next weekend to take on Houston Texans with the AFC South potentially on the line.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: Week 16

Check out these starts and sits for fantasy football in Week 16.

The fantasy football playoffs are officially underway as just two more weeks remain in the season for the majority of leagues. Now, it’s time to look at some start/sit decisions for Week 16.

Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.

Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.

Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11), or check out our start/bench list for Week 16:

Colts vs. Steelers: 5 things to watch in Week 15

Here are five things to watch for in Week 15.

The Indianapolis Colts will be looking to shake off their disappointing loss to the Cincinnati Bengals as they are set to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Saturday matchup in Week 15.

This series hasn’t been favorable for the Colts. They have lost eight straight games to the Steelers with their last win in the series coming back in 2008.

The last time Indianapolis beat Pittsburgh at home came in 2005. This is another crucial AFC contest for the Colts with both teams currently in the playoffs and a win on Saturday can help create separation heading into the final three weeks of the season.

Here are five things to watch for when this game kicks off on Saturday afternoon: