Josh Downs enjoyed a solid rookie campaign in 2023. Despite playing alongside a veteran receiver who had the best season of his career — Michael Pittman Jr. — Downs was still productive in his own right, finishing with nearly 70 receptions (68) and 800 receiving yards (771) last season.
Now the question entering 2024 for Downs will be if he can handle an increase in expectations? The Colts are hoping for a healthier Anthony Richardson at quarterback, so that could also mean more productivity in the passing game.
Here’s a look at the fantasy outlook for Downs this upcoming season.
Josh Downs’ Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
A third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Downs was thrust into action right away. He was on the field on at least 70% of the Colts’ offensive snaps in each of the first eight games of the season, and overall had 10 games in which was on the field for at least 70% of the team’s offensive snaps.
He ranked seventh among rookies in both receptions (68) and receiving yards (771), but perhaps his most impressive statistic, given his rookie status, was his catch percentage. Downs’ 69.4% catch percentage ranked 13th in the NFL among all wide receivers who had at least 65 catches last season.
Downs also appeared to improve as the season progressed. Although he averaged 11.3 yards per reception for the season, Downs averaged 12.4 yards per reception over his last 11 games.
He proved to be a good big-game receiver. His only 100-yard receiving game last season came in Week 7 against the league’s No. 1 defense, the Cleveland Browns. Downs finished with five receptions for 125 yards in that game against a defense that allowed a league-low 164.7 passing yards per game.
One noticeable statistic that is probably of concern for fantasy managers is touchdowns. As in two. Not only did Downs finish with only two touchdown receptions, but he was held out of the end zone in each of his final 10 games. As a team, the Colts finished tied for 24th in the NFL in touchdown passes with just 18.
Is Josh Downs a Good Fantasy Pick?
Downs, who appears to be a solid No. 2 wide receiver for the Colts, comes into the season as the No. 60 wide receiver in the Pro Football Network’s 2024 Fantasy Wide Receiver Rankings.
On the surface, Downs appears to be a player capable of improving on his solid rookie season numbers. But the quarterback situation for the Colts is certainly worth following this preseason.
Richardson only played in four games a season ago, so even if he can remain healthy, there is still an unknown attached to his game, due to a lack of experience.
The Colts did pick up veteran Joe Flacco to backup Richardson, and he was impressive in his emergency relief role for the Browns last season.
That should help the Colts’ receiving core, including Downs. If healthy, the Colts have the potential to have an upper-level offensive unit. Downs would appear to be a key figure if Indianapolis is to improve its offense in 2024.