Wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade from the Indianapolis Colts, hoping to be part of the exodus as the 2-5 Colts enter a tear down after trading guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Should the New York Giants be interested in the 2023 third-round pick?
Why it would work
It is easy to forget that the Giants had a big role planned for 5-foot-9, 162-pound slot receiver Calvin Austin before he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in late August. The Giants have also lost wide receivers Gunner
Olszewski and Braxton Berrios for the season, and they have no one on the roster who fills Austin’s role as a truly elusive, impactful, traditional slot receiver.
The 5-9, 171-pound Downs would.
In three full seasons with the Colts, the fewest receptions Downs has had is 58. Despite their offensive success in recent weeks, including four straight games of 27 points or more and three straight games of at least 400 yards gained, the Giants have seemed one receiver short all season. In addition to the injuries, the Giants moved on from Darius Slayton and their short-lived reunion with Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t last.
The Giants could use one more potential play-making weapon on the outside.
Downs is in the final year of his rookie contract. Financially, he would cost only the pro-rated portion of his $3.924 million base salary for the remainder of the 2026 season. The Giants and Downs would then have the option of working out a long-term deal.
In terms of draft capital, it is hard to imagine that acquiring Downs would cost more than a late-round pick.
Why it wouldn’t work
The Giants have become a team that uses multiple tight ends, or a tight and fullback Patrick Ricard, on a high percentage of plays.
Isaiah Likely is listed as a tight end, but has really become the slot receiver. Per Pro Football Focus, Likely has aligned in the slot on 255 of his 370 snaps this season. Malik Nabers has also been increasingly aligning in the slot. Over the past three games, Nabers has been in the slot 50 times — almost 17 times per game.
Downs can also play on the outside, but would the Giants want him to take snaps away from Malachi Fields or one of their tight ends?
Would Downs be a player you would like to see the team add, Giants fans?
