The Cincinnati Bengals probably aren’t going to be interested in the Jonathan Taylor asking price from the Indianapolis Colts at the NFL trade deadline.
But those Colts might have another player or two of interest to the Bengals.
Think, for example, wide receiver Josh Downs.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, contenders like the Chiefs, Steelers and 49ers will have an interest in Downs if they can’t peel Brian Thomas Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars. That the Colts are having a bit of a sale is obvious.
“...Thomas brings a downfield element that’s really important in keeping defenses honest against the run, and opening things up underneath for Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington,” Breer wrote. “So now Downs, who’d probably cost a fourth-round
pick, would loom as a possibility for the Chiefs.”
A third-round pick in 2023, Downs averages 10.8 yards per catch across 228 receptions and has scored 12 times in 55 games.
Wide receiver isn’t nearly as pressing of a need for the Bengals compared to some spots on the defense right now. But with how much the Bengals have been passing with Joe Burrow while the under-center stuff and Chase Brown struggle, adding another element to the attack could help.
Keep in mind, too, that after Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas is still on injured reserve and rookie Colbie Young is only just getting back from an injury.
Downs would probably be a little richer than the Bengals want to pay at what is already a position of strength, but with how they’re attacking defenses right now, it would be hard to complain about that type of move, too.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals might like lesser-known Colts trade candidates at deadline
