The Athletic's James Boyd highlighted WR Josh Downs as the Colts' 2024 breakout player. It's a noteworthy selection after Indianapolis added WR Adonai Mitchell with the 52nd overall pick of this spring's draft. Downs, though, was a Round 3 pick just a year ago. And Boyd noted that he and QB Anthony Richardson connected often this spring.
Downs set a Colts rookie record with 68 catches last year. He got rolling early, with 33 catches for 406 yards and two TDs over a six-game stretch from Week 3 to 8. Only 14 WRs scored more PPR points during that span.
But Downs hurt his knee in early November and didn't look like the same player the rest of the way, averaging just 3.1 catches and 33 yards over his final nine games.
We'll see exactly how playing time shakes out between Downs and Mitchell behind No. 1 WR Michael Pittman. There's probably room for only one of Downs or Mitchell to be a consistent fantasy producer in what figures to be a run-leaning offense with QB Anthony Richardson. But Downs is certainly worth a look at a reasonable 12th-round ADP. Mitchell is going just a few picks earlier in the middle of Round 12.
Downs' longer-term value is closely tied to Richardson's development. It's worth noting that Downs managed just five catches for 64 scoreless yards on a 16% target share in Richardson's two full games last year (Weeks 1 and 4). But we're barely putting any stock in that tiny sample.
The bigger concern is that Pittman will be around for another three seasons after signing a $70 million extension back in March. That caps Downs' target upside.
Downs checks in at WR57 in our updated dynasty rankings.
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