January 5, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Josh Downs closed out the season on a high note, catching 10 of 13 targets for 94 yards, although he was unable to find the end zone in the 26-23 overtime win over the Jaguars. The 23-year-old missed three games this season due to injury but still managed to set new career highs in catches (72), yards (803), and touchdowns (5). Inconsistent and ineffective quarterback play seemed to hold back all of the Colts receivers this season, with none truly separating themselves as a true No. 1.
Alec Pierce ended up leading the team in yards (824) and touchdowns (7), but he did it on only 37 receptions, while
Michael Pittman Jr.'s numbers were nearly identical to Downs' with 69 catches and 808 yards.
Anthony Richardson's play will likely depress Downs' value in 2025 fantasy drafts, but that could make him (and Pittman Jr.) possible values if the offense can improve in 2025.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
January 4, 2025
After averaging over five catches per contest after Week 11, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Josh Downs has had four consecutive weeks with exactly three receptions. Be that as it may, Week 18 brings a matchup versus the Jaguars, the same team the 23-year-old posted nine catches on 12 targets for 69 yards and a touchdown back in Week 5. That game featured
Joe Flacco under center too, so Downs will look to replicate that success and end the season on a high note. Jacksonville has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, but the second-most to running backs, so the Colts may lean toward the ground game in this one instead. As a result, view Downs as a low-end WR3 with perhaps some upside in PPR formats if he and Flacco can get rolling again against the Jags.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
December 29, 2024
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Josh Downs was limited to just three catches on four targets for 22 yards and no scores in Sunday's 45-33 loss to the Giants. After showing a rapport earlier in the season with
Joe Flacco under center, the veteran looked at both
Michael Pittman Jr. and
Alec Pierce more often with a combined 15 targets between them. Seemingly the No. 1 option around midseason, the 23-year-old has fallen out of favor regardless of who has been at QB, now with four straight contests with exactly three catches for a total of 142 yards and one touchdown over that stretch. The Colts, although eliminated from playoff contention, will get a favorable matchup in the final week of the season in a home contest against the Jaguars and Downs will look to finish the season on a high note.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
December 27, 2024
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Josh Downs is coming off of his third consecutive game with exactly three catches, although those nine catches came on 19 targets. Fellow wideout
Michael Pittman Jr. seemed like
Anthony Richardson's preferred option based on his 13 receptions over the last three games, but looking closer, Pittman Jr. had the same amount of targets as Downs over that stretch (19). While Downs' aDOT of 7.12 yards contrasts with Pittman Jr.'s 11.26, they are basically the Colts' 1A and 1B receivers for fantasy purposes this week. That is, if Anthony Richardson is under center for the Colts, but after missing practice all week with back and foot injuries, the second-year QB is at risk of missing Week 17's matchup with the Giants. If that happens,
Joe Flacco will slide in as QB, and the 39-year-old showed more rapport with Downs than Pittman Jr., with Downs logging a 36-338-1 line (five games) compared to Pittman Jr.'s 13-139-1 line (four games) with the veteran at the helm. Neither one makes for a great play this week, as both look like high-end Flex options with Richardson calling the plays, but Downs has WR3 upside if Flacco gets the start.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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