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Fanatics Fantasy Football League Est. 2002
FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1
Josh Downs

WR IND

College: North Carolina | Rookie
Height: 5'9" | Weight: 171 lbs
Birth Date: 2001-08-12
Depth Chart: WRa.2
2024 Bye Week: 11

Rostered: 0.0%
Started: 0.0%
Total Pts: 0
Avg Pts: 0

Ragin' Cajuns

2024 RTSports Outlook

The Colts selected Downs in the third round of this year's draft. He should be the slot receiver for the team as a rookie, playing alongside Michael Pittman and Alex Pierce. Downs is a dynamic talent. He gets in and out of his breaks in a hurry. He has top speed at the position and makes a lot of plays after the catch. Downs is a top athlete. He does lack some size and can get pushed around in press coverage.

FANTASY OUTLOOK: Downs has some upside his rookie season. The one issue could be quarterback, having a rookie that struggles with accuracy at times throwing him passes. This could make Downs a little erratic. But even with that said, he can get 60 receptions for 700 yards and a few scores.

FreeDraftGuide.com

RotoBaller's Outlook

Indianapolis Colts wide receiverJosh Downs (knee) was the 79th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He is perceived as the second option for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. The 21-year-old has "a little bit of a knee issue," but it isn't considered serious. Downs ran a 4.48 40-yard dash in the NFL Combine, and he could be a deep-ball threat in this Colts offense. According to The Athletic's James Boyd, Downs has become a volume target throughout training camp and the preseason. Downs played 28 games in three years during his college career with North Carolina. He had 202 receptions for 2,483 yards in those games and recorded 22 touchdowns. The North Carolina product will likely produce at a high level in the NFL if new Colts head coach Shane Steichen designs plays for him. Given how great of an arm Richardson has, it won't be a surprise if he frequently tries to connect on deep throws with the 22-year-old wide receiver. If Downs can get separation from his matchup, he would be hard to track down, considering how explosive he can be in an open field. Playing alongsideMichael Pittman Jr. will also help him to a large extent. He is competing with Pittman and Alec Pierce for targets in the Colts' passing game. Fantasy managers can get the Colts' rookie receiver in the late rounds of the draft, and he could be a solid contributor as Indy's No. 2 target.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiverJosh Downs (knee) was the 79th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He is perceived as the second option for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. The 21-year-old has "a little bit of a knee issue," but it isn't considered serious. Downs ran a 4.48 40-yard dash in the NFL Combine, and he could be a deep-ball threat in this Colts offense. According to The Athletic's James Boyd, Downs has become a volume target throughout training camp and the preseason. Downs played 28 games in three years during his college career with North Carolina. He had 202 receptions for 2,483 yards in those games and recorded 22 touchdowns. The North Carolina product will likely produce at a high level in the NFL if new Colts head coach Shane Steichen designs plays for him. Given how great of an arm Richardson has, it won't be a surprise if he frequently tries to connect on deep throws with the 22-year-old wide receiver. If Downs can get separation from his matchup, he would be hard to track down, considering how explosive he can be in an open field. Playing alongsideMichael Pittman Jr. will also help him to a large extent. He is competing with Pittman and Alec Pierce for targets in the Colts' passing game. Fantasy managers can get the Colts' rookie receiver in the late rounds of the draft, and he could be a solid contributor as Indy's No. 2 target.

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Player Notes
Jan 7 2:00am ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught all three of his targets for 48 yards in the team's 23-19 loss to the Houston Texans. Downs led all Colts pass-catchers in yards and caught the team's longest pass-attempt when he reeled in a 28-yard catch. Downs finishes his rookie campaign with 771 yards on 68 catches and two touchdowns. With their Week 18 loss, the Colts are now eliminated from playoff contention.

From RotoBaller

Jan 5 9:00pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught both of his targets for 53 yards in the team's Week 17 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. He now gets ready for a season finale against the Houston Texans on Saturday night, a team that's allowed the 11th most fantasy points to the position over their last four matchups. Downs hasn't been an incredibly consistent option as of late, as last week marked his first game with over 50 total yards since Week 8. Houston has done a good job of defending the slot, allowing the 10th least fantasy points to slot receivers, where Downs plays over 75% of his snaps. With all that in mind, the former Tar Heel makes for a boom-or-bust WR4 option in Week 18 with his big play ability.

From RotoBaller

Jan 1 12:20am ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught both of his targets for 53 yards in the team's 23-20 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. The rookie caught a 50-yard deep shot on the team's third play from scrimmage and was then only targeted one more time for a three-yard catch. This also marks the first time Downs has cleared 50 total yards since the team's Week 8 win against the New Orleans Saints. The former Tar Heel has proved to be a viable deep-threat option for quarterback Gardner Minshew but has struggled with consistent fantasy success. He'll look to build on this performance in Week 18 when the Colts face off against the Houston Texans, and fantasy managers can look Downs' way for a boom-or-bust WR3/Flex option.

From RotoBaller

Dec 29 8:30pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught six of his nine targets for 39 yards in the team's Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The rookie led all Colts pass-catchers in targets as No.1 receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion) missed the game due to injury. With Pittman cleared to return in the team's Week 17 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, Downs' loss in volume may limit him from a strong fantasy outing. The Raiders have been a tough matchup for opposing fantasy receivers, allowing the 11th least points to the position. Their secondary sits right outside the top ten, allowing the 11th least passing yards per game on the season. Fantasy managers may want to look another way for a WR3/Flex option this week, as Downs doesn't come into this one with an incredibly safe floor or high ceiling.

From RotoBaller

Dec 24 10:30pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs led the team in targets in wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr's (concussion) absence in the team's 29-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Downs reeled in six of his nine targets for 39 yards on the day. While he did have a sizable target share, this now marks the fourth game in a row where the rookie has been held to under 40 yards. If Pittman misses their Week 17 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, Downs can be in consideration for a WR3/Flex option with the uptick in volume.

From RotoBaller

Dec 22 6:00pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs is coming off a Week 15 win where he caught all three of his targets for just 19 yards through the air. Downs has served as a helpful target for quarterback Gardner Minshew, but his recent form from a fantasy perspective doesn't instill much confidence in fantasy managers for his Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have allowed the fourth-least fantasy points to opposing receivers, and the sixth-least fantasy points to opposing slot receivers, where the rookie plays the majority of his snaps. Given his recent form, and a tough matchup, fantasy managers should likely keep the former Tar Heel on the bench this week as a WR4/5 option.

From RotoBaller

Dec 16 10:00pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught all three of his targets for 19 yards in the team's 30-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Downs did not see much of an additional uptick in volume despite wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion) leaving the game in the first half and not returning. Downs has struggled in his last few matchups from a fantasy perspective, and fantasy managers may want to keep him on the bench in the team's Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

From RotoBaller

Dec 15 6:20pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught all three of his targets for 32 yards in the team's Week 14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite being a great addition to Indy's passing offense, Downs has struggled from a fantasy perspective the last few weeks as he hasn't eclipsed 70 yards since Week 8. He now gears up to face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15, a team allowing the 15th least fantasy points to the position this season. While Downs' speed and big play ability provide him with a high-ceiling every week, there hasn't been a safe enough floor as of late to trust him for the fantasy playoffs. Fantasy managers can look to start him as a boom-or-bust WR4/5 option this week.

From RotoBaller

Dec 11 12:00am ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught all three of his targets for 32 yards in the team's 34-14 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. This now makes the fourth game in a row where Downs has failed to eclipse over 45 yards. The rookie has provided some decent spark for Indy's passing offense, but the most recent stretch of underwhelming performances might have fantasy managers going in another direction for flex options moving forward. Downs can make for a decent flex option in some deeper leagues in his Week 15 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but managers in smaller formats may want to bench the former Tar Heel until he's gotten back to form.

From RotoBaller

Dec 8 8:40pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs has gone a little bit cold during his impressive first season. In the team's Week 13 win, he reeled in three of his five targets for just 14 total yards. He does find himself with an opportunity to get back on track in Week 14 when the Colts square off against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have allowed the sixth-most passing yards in the league this season, and Downs has routinely been the second option in terms of targets for Indy behind wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Fantasy managers can look to start Downs as a WR3/4 option as the former Tar Heel looks to get back on track.

From RotoBaller

Dec 4 9:30am ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught three passes for 14 yards in the team's 31-28 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans. The rookie saw just five targets on the day and fell behind Alec Pierce (six targets, three catches for 100 yards) on the afternoon. Michael Pittman Jr. led the way in the Indianapolis receiving game once again. After looking like a weekly starter in the middle of the season, Downs has let managers down in four straight games, although in two of those he was limited due to a knee injury. He'll match up against a soft Cincinnati secondary in Week 14 but it's difficult to trust the rookie as anything more than a WR4 right now.

From RotoBaller

Dec 1 6:10pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs put together a five-catch, 43-yard performance in the team's Week 12 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite the decent outing, Downs saw a team-high in targets with 13, tied with fellow wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Downs serves primarily as a YAC and deep threat for Indy, leading the receiving corps in plays of 20+ yards with eight total. He finds himself in a decent matchup against the Tennessee Titans, who are allowing the sixth most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season. Downs' big play ability makes him a boom-or-bust type of play, but this matchup should instill confidence in fantasy managers to play him as a WR3/Flex option in Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Nov 26 9:10pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs reeled in five catches for 43 yards in the team's 27-20 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite only having five catches, Downs tied wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. with a team-high 13 targets. The rookie could have had a much better fantasy outing, but he dropped a number of passes while a few of the targets from quarterback Gardner Minshew were uncatchable. Although Downs' usage is encouraging, he doesn't quite have a safe enough floor to be a weekly starter. He does find himself in a favorable matchup in Week 13 when the Colts square off against the Tennessee Titans. Fantasy managers can look to include the former Tar Heel as a WR4/Flex option.

From RotoBaller

Nov 22 3:30pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs (knee) was on the practice field on Wednesday coming off the team's bye week. Downs has been battling a nagging knee injury since back in the spring. It has forced him to miss some practice time recently after aggravating it, but the 22-year-old hasn't missed any games. Downs didn't practice at all leading up to the Week 10 game in Germany against the New England Patriots, but he suited up and caught two passes for 40 yards. It's a good sign that he's practicing to begin Week 12 preparations, so barring a setback later this week, he should be ready to play on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a great matchup. As the No. 2 behind Michael Pittman Jr., Downs is a worthwhile WR4/flex consideration when he's healthy.

From RotoBaller

Nov 21 12:40pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs (knee) has been battling a knee injury since he first hurt it in organized team activities in the spring. He was held out of those voluntary sessions, but his injury never actually healed and he has felt it flare up from time to time, leading to regular maintenance with the training staff. Downs didn't practice at all leading up to the Week 10 game in Germany against the New England Patriots, but he was active and caught two passes for 40 yards. His rookie season has been even more impressive given the fact he hasn't been playing at 100%. Downs has 43 catches for 523 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games. His 33 catches in the first seven games are the most by a player in franchise history. His production the rest of the way will depend on how healthy he is, but he deserves to be rostered in most fantasy leagues as Indy's No. 2 wideout when he's healthy.

From RotoBaller

Nov 12 1:10pm ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs was questionable ahead of Sunday's 10-6 win against the New England Patriots with a knee injury. While the rookie was active, he did see a significant downtick in snaps and it was fellow wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie who played in place of him. Despite the limited playing time, Downs was still able to reel in two of his three targets for 40 yards. His most notable catch came on third down with less than three minutes to play when quarterback Gardner Minshew found Downs for a 28-yard completion to help seal the game. Downs should hopefully be back to being fully healthy as the Colts will go on bye in Week 11 and then host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12. Barring any additional injuries, Downs can be viewed as a FLEX option moving forward.

From RotoBaller

Nov 12 8:20am ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Josh Downs (knee) and Alec Pierce (ankle) are active for Week 10 versus the New England Patriots in Germany. Both players had been listed as questionable. For Downs, the outlook was grim after he failed to practice at all this past week. He'll suit up Sunday but will likely see a reduced role or run some routes as a decoy. Therefore, he should be benched in most fantasy leagues. Pierce, on the other hand, managed to log a full practice on Sunday and could see an uptick in volume if Downs does spend part of the game on the sideline. However, it's hard to imagine that he'll earn enough targets to get on the fantasy radar. You can leave him on waivers in Week 10.

From RotoBaller

Nov 12 1:30am ET

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (knee) is expected to play against the Patriots in Germany. The rookie has battled a knee injury over the last few weeks and wasn't a lock to play in the Week 9 meeting with the Carolina Panthers. Although he managed to suit up for that one, he aggravated his knee injury and was ruled out. Without question, Downs has had an impressive 2023-24 campaign. Unfortunately, Schefter indicated the team could be cautious with the 22-year-old in Week 10, so it may be best for fantasy managers to keep him out of the starting lineup.

From RotoBaller

Nov 10 5:30pm ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Josh Downs (knee) and Alec Pierce (ankle) are both listed as questionable to play in Week 10 in Germany against the New England Patriots. Downs didn't practice at all this week after aggravating his knee injury in the Week 9 win over the Indianapolis Colts, so it would be a surprise if he actually played this weekend in Europe. Fantasy managers need to send the rookie to their benches until further notice. Pierce, meanwhile, popped up on the Week 10 injury report and was limited on Thursday, but he returned to a full session on Friday, so he figures to be on the right side of questionable. The 23-year-old will have added opportunity if he suits up in Frankfurt with Downs looking unlikely to play. If both Downs and Pierce are out, Isaiah McKenzie would serve as the No. 2 behind Michael Pittman Jr.

From RotoBaller

Nov 10 1:10am ET

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs (knee) didn't practice on Thursday, per The Athletic's James Boyd, while fellow wideout Alec Pierce (ankle) popped up on the injury report as a limited participant with an ankle issue. That makes two consecutive DNPs for Downs, who was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated report. The rookie third-rounder left with a knee injury during the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers after catching his lone target for 10 yards, and his status remains very much up in the air for Week 10's Frankfurt meeting with the New England Patriots. Friday's level of activity for both Downs and Pierce should be telling as it pertains to their availability for Sunday's matchup. Michael Pittman Jr. could operate as a target hog against the Pats depending on the standing of Indy's complementary pieces.

From RotoBaller

Player Transactions
  • 16-May-2023: Josh Downs - SGN - The Indianapolis Colts signed WR Josh Downs.
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