The Indianapolis Colts are tearing it down to the studs ahead of the NFL trade deadline and wide receiver Josh Downs could be the next player out the door.
Downs is requesting a trade out of Indianapolis, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
The news comes just one day after the Colts decided to trade Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks
and DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. Those were the first major moves in the post-Chris Ballard era after Ballard was fired as the general manager on Oct. 19.Notably, the Colts don't own their first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. That pick belongs to the New York Jets after the Sauce Gardner trade at last season's trade deadline and the Colts are looking to reset the clock – and roster – after being
stuck in the middle for so long.
If that includes parting with Downs, so be it, especially if player would now welcome the move. Here's a look at some spots that make sense for the receiver.
Josh Downs landing spots
New England Patriots
A college reunion? Drake Maye officially broke out at North Carolina during the 2022 season, finishing 10th in Heisman voting. His top receiver that season? Downs.
That overlap is always notable when it comes to finding landing spots that make sense for everyone involved. Downs has shown a rapport with Maye, totaling 1,029 yards, 11 touchdowns and a conference-leading 94 catches in 2022.
Fast forward to present day and the Patriots are in need of some receiving help. A.J. Brown has a case of the drops after being a big offseason acquisition, Romeo Doubs is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and so is Mack Hollins, but with a calf issue.
Downs could become a go-to receiver for Maye at a time when he desperately needs one, especially if New England has visions of returning to the Super Bowl.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers probably wish they were playing a video game so they could turn injuries off. San Francisco is loaded at the position on paper with Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall, De'Zhaun Stribling, Demarcus Robinson and Christian Kirk. However, all of them have missed at least one game with injury this season and Evans might be the only somewhat healthy player when San Francisco returns from its bye week.
And that doesn't even include Brandon Aiyuk, the disgruntled receiver who still looms in the background.
At just 25, Downs would be the rare addition that figures to have long-term appeal but also helps immediately. The Niners look like arguably the best team in the league this season, but injuries could be their undoing once again.
Making a move for Downs shouldn't be crossed off the list just because of the others that are currently on the payroll.
Kansas City Chiefs
Like the Niners, the Chiefs are running out of healthy receivers. Except, unlike San Francisco, Kansas City could still use a boost even if the room was completely healthy. Rashee Rice is once again banged up, leaving just Xavier Worthy as the top target for Patrick Mahomes.
With Travis Kelce no longer being as explosive as he once was, the Chiefs are relying more on Kenneth Walker III than they probably envisioned in the offseason.
For a team with big dreams, running Walker into the ground for some regular season wins won't help when the playoffs come around.
A player like Downs not only accomplishes the goal of adding another receiver, but it could also help preserve Walker for a playoff run.
Washington Commanders
Not every trade has to be to a contender. In the case of Downs, he is young enough that a rebuilding team could take a chance with the idea of getting ahead of some offseason work. The fourth-year receiver would finally add some youth to a Washington offense in desperate need of that.
Terry McLaurin is out for the seasonwith a torn patellar tendon, but he is also 31. It's unclear how the veteran will bounce back from a significant injury.
The Commanders haven't done a great job of building a young supporting cast around Jayden Daniels, but this is a chance to finally address that.
When is the 2026 NFL trade deadline?
- Date: Nov. 10
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
The 2026 NFL trade deadline is set for Nov. 10, with 4 p.m. ET being the official cutoff. It's the last opportunity for teams to make major changes to their rosters ahead of the season's stretch run, leaving waivers and free agency as the last two avenues to improve before the offseason.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WR Josh Downs wants a trade from the Colts. What landing spots make sense?
