Josh Downs Ranks 29th Among Wide Receivers for Indianapolis Colts

In the competitive landscape of NFL wide receivers, rankings often serve as a snapshot of a player’s standing—reflecting production, role, and potential within their team’s offense. For the Indianapolis Colts, a franchise boasting one of the league’s deepest pass-catching units, the 2025 preseason wide receiver rankings have brought attention to Josh Downs, who checks in at 29th among the team’s active and practice squad wideouts. At first glance, this ranking might seem unremarkable, but it tells a deeper story about the Colts’ wealth of talent at the position and Downs’ unique place in the roster. Unlike top-ranked receivers like Alec Pierce and Adam Thielen, who handle primary targets and high-leverage roles, Downs has carved out a niche as a versatile, situational playmaker—one whose value extends beyond traditional stats. This ranking isn’t a measure of his skill alone; it’s a reflection of the Colts’ embarrassment of riches at wide receiver, where even talented players like Downs must compete for snaps. In a unit stacked with stars, Josh Downs Ranks 29th Among Wide Receivers for Indianapolis Colts highlights how depth can both obscure individual standing and strengthen the team as a whole.

Josh Downs Ranks 29th Among Wide Receivers for Indianapolis Colts comes after a rookie season in 2024 that showcased his potential, even in a limited role. The Colts selected Downs in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of North Carolina, where he had a standout college career—recording 202 receptions for 2,364 yards and 19 touchdowns over three seasons. As a rookie, Downs saw action in 12 games, primarily on special teams and as a slot receiver in two-receiver sets. He finished the season with 18 catches for 165 yards and one touchdown, a modest stat line that belies his impact in specific situations. His most memorable play came in Week 14 against the Houston Texans, where he caught a 12-yard pass on third-and-8 to extend a critical fourth-quarter drive, leading to the Colts’ game-winning field goal. While these moments didn’t catapult him up the depth chart, they proved he could perform under pressure—a trait the Colts’ coaching staff values highly. This preseason ranking, then, isn’t a slight; it’s a starting point for a player still finding his footing in a crowded wide receiver room, with room to grow into a more prominent role.

A closer look at Downs’ playing style reveals why he’s a valuable addition to the Colts’ wide receiver corps, even at 29th in the rankings. At 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, Downs lacks the size of top receivers like Pierce (6-foot-3) but makes up for it with elite quickness and route-running precision. His 4.42-second 40-yard dash speed allows him to beat defenders off the line in slot matchups, while his ability to make sharp cuts helps him create separation in tight coverage—skills that make him ideal for short-yardage situations and screen plays. During training camp, Downs has impressed coaches with his hands, dropping just two passes in 50 targets, and his football IQ, often anticipating defensive shifts before the snap. Unlike larger receivers who excel at jump balls, Downs thrives in the “quick game”—catching passes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage and using his agility to turn short gains into 15-yard chunks. This style complements the Colts’ offense, which relies on a mix of deep bombs (from Pierce), possession catches (from Thielen), and situational plays (from Downs). His ranking may be low, but his skill set fills a specific need that even the Colts’ top receivers can’t address.

A key context behind Josh Downs Ranks 29th Among Wide Receivers for Indianapolis Colts is the unparalleled depth of the Colts’ wide receiver unit—one that makes even talented players like Downs a depth piece. The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2025 season with 32 active and practice squad wide receivers, a number unheard of for most NFL teams, and the top of the depth chart is stacked with proven playmakers. Alec Pierce, the team’s No. 1 receiver, coming off a 1,100-yard season, sits at No. 1, followed by Adam Thielen (No. 2), a 10-year veteran with over 8,000 career yards, and rookie Tyler Scott (No. 3), a speedster drafted to add a deep threat. Behind them are former draft picks, practice squad standouts, and free-agent signings—each with their own strengths. This depth means Downs isn’t competing just for snaps, but for a specific role: the Colts’ “third-down slot receiver,” a position that requires reliability, quickness, and the ability to read zone coverage. While his 29th ranking suggests he’s on the fringes, the Colts’ coaching staff has made it clear that Downs is in contention for this role, as his skill set aligns perfectly with what they need on third downs. For the Colts, this depth isn’t a problem—it’s a strength, and Downs is a key part of that strength.

Another critical angle to Josh Downs Ranks 29th Among Wide Receivers for Indianapolis Colts is how this ranking motivates Downs to elevate his game, turning perceived “obscurity” into an opportunity. The Indianapolis Colts have a history of developing late-round picks into impact players, and Downs is leaning into that culture. During offseason workouts, he spent extra time with offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, studying film of NFL slot receivers like Cooper Kupp and Keenan Allen to refine his route-running. He also worked with strength and conditioning coaches to add 10 pounds of muscle, improving his ability to break tackles after catches—something he struggled with as a rookie. The result has been noticeable in training camp: Downs has won more than 60% of his one-on-one matchups against cornerbacks, including a standout performance in the Colts’ second preseason game, where he caught 4 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. Coaches have praised his work ethic, with head coach Shane Steichen noting that “Josh doesn’t let the ranking define him—he uses it to push harder.” This motivation could be the key to Downs moving up the depth chart as the season progresses, especially if injuries or game situations create openings for more snaps.

As the 2025 regular season nears, Josh Downs Ranks 29th Among Wide Receivers for Indianapolis Colts remains a talking point—but not for the reasons some might expect. For the Indianapolis Colts, this ranking is a reminder of their wide receiver depth, a luxury that few teams can afford. For Downs, it’s a starting line, not a finish line—a chance to prove that rankings don’t always reflect a player’s true value. Even if he starts the season in a limited role, Downs has the skill set, work ethic, and fit in the Colts’ offense to make an impact. Whether it’s catching a critical third-down pass, returning a punt for a big gain, or stepping up when a top receiver is injured, Downs has shown he’s ready to contribute. In the end, Josh Downs Ranks 29th Among Wide Receivers for Indianapolis Colts isn’t a story about a player being “low-ranked”—it’s a story about a young talent thriving in a competitive environment, and a team that’s built to succeed because of, not in spite of, its depth. As the season unfolds, Downs may very well climb those rankings—but for now, he’s exactly where he needs to be: ready to help the Colts win, one play at a time.