May 11, 2026, 10:21 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs came into the 2025 season as one of the most hyped breakout candidates in the league. While it was ultimately teammate Alec Pierce who would go on to win weeks as a late-round receiver pick out of Indianapolis, Downs ended the year as the WR48, the worst result of his career and a full 12 spots lower than his 2024 finish. With that kind of disappointment leaving a bad taste in the mouths of many drafters, Downs is severely underrated heading into 2026 drafts, despite having one of the best offseasons a receiver could ask for. Michael Pittman Jr., who led the team in targets in each of his past five seasons with the Colts, was traded to Pittsburgh in the early offseason, creating the opportunity for Downs to add to his 93-target and 66-reception averages across his first three years in the league. While he still profiles primarily as a slot receiver, Indianapolis no longer has the personnel to keep Downs off the field in two-receiver sets. The Colts did not select a pass-catcher until the seventh round of the NFL Draft, adding Deion Burks to a wide receiver room that currently has Nick Westbrook-Ikhine penciled into the third spot. Receiving work in Indianapolis is slated to run through Downs, Pierce, and tight end Tyler Warren in 2026, and as long as quarterback Daniel Jones does not miss extensive time after an Achilles tear ended his first season with the Colts, Downs should be a lock to return the type of late-round value that he could not in 2025. At RotoBaller's WR48, he is currently being drafted at his absolute floor.--Patrick McGrath