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WR Josh Downs, IND (2 Viewers)

I'm mulling him in two leagues, one vs DK and the other vs Garrett Wilson. Great matchup, has not had a bad healthy game with Minshew. He was Tank Delling like before he got hurt. The fact those players play tonight and tomorrow makes me lean them since the last Downs injury occurred in practice and I'd be runnig risk of a setback and then not having those options.

I'd just say if I knew he was sure to be his normal health I'd be putting him over those two.
 
Jacob Gibbs
An interesting note I just found on Josh Downs, courtesy of the @FantasyPtsData Suite:

331 of Downs’ 771 receiving yards came on plays where he was not the first-read or designed target, that was the highest rate in the NFL.

In games Downs suited up for, he accounted for 33% of Indy’s non first-read receiving yards and 20% of the IND non 1R targets.

CeeDee Lamb and Puka Nacua were the only other WRs who hit both a 20% TGT and 25% RECYD mark.

To me, this backs what was apparent when watching Downs — he is incredible at getting open on off-script plays. Could be huge with Anthony Richardson at QB.
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@32BeatWriters
“With Pittman out of the lineup this week, receiver Josh Downs was heavily involved, catching what must've been double-digit balls throughout 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s. His chemistry with Richardson is undeniable and if Pittman were to have to miss time for any reason during the season, prepare to see an incredibly heavy dose of Downs in the passing game.”
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The Coachspeak Index
#Colts OC Jim Bob Cooter on Josh Downs:

“Josh is a really smart player. Those really smart players take advantage of opportunities to make the most of their strengths. Josh is really athletic, too. But, as a Year 1 to Year 2, you learn a lot in the league… Josh is gonna make the most of that.”
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#Colts HC Shane Steichen on Josh Downs:

“He was explosive Year 1, but you can see he’s taken it to another level in the offseason and, obviously, starting into training camp. He’s making a ton of plays right now”
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Chris Ballard said you’re sleeping on Josh Downs
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Nate Atkins
#Colts training camp No. 3 observations:

- Huuuge Josh Downs day. He cooked Jaylon Jones a few times and created a big YAC play through contact in 11-on-11
- Anthony Richardson showing good anticipation, though ball placement a work in progress
- Julian Blackmon with a sick pick
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@32BeatWriters
“Wayne added that he wants to see Downs become a “full receiver,” and the early signs from camp suggest his message hasn’t fallen on deaf ears. Downs ranks second behind Pittman (10) with nine catches from Richardson through the first six practices, and a few have come when he’s lined up outside.”

Via - nytimes.com/athletic/56771…
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Really not sure what to think of Downs...I think he will be a solid "real" WR but how fantasy relevant will he be?
 
Boston said:
Really not sure what to think of Downs...I think he will be a solid "real" WR but how fantasy relevant will he be?
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He was looking the part early last season before injuries slowed his momentum. I expect him to be the clear WR#2 in Indy this season barring more injuries. While I like AD Mitchell as a pick for the Colts, I do not think he will be fantasy relevant in 2024, because I do not think Richardson can support 3 fantasy relevant WRs. Plus, I think Jelani Woods will be relevant for the Colts, even if he isn't for fantasy. I know that was a mouthful, but the bottom line for me is that Downs will continue to ascend.
 
JohnnyU said:
Boston said:
Really not sure what to think of Downs...I think he will be a solid "real" WR but how fantasy relevant will he be?
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He was looking the part early last season before injuries slowed his momentum. I expect him to be the clear WR#2 in Indy this season barring more injuries. While I like AD Mitchell as a pick for the Colts, I do not think he will be fantasy relevant in 2024, because I do not think Richardson can support 3 fantasy relevant WRs. Plus, I think Jelani Woods will be relevant for the Colts, even if he isn't for fantasy. I know that was a mouthful, but the bottom line for me is that Downs will continue to ascend.
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I agree with that...I think he was sneaky good last year, especially considering he was injured...just having trouble putting stats next to his name.
 
Boston said:
JohnnyU said:
Boston said:
Really not sure what to think of Downs...I think he will be a solid "real" WR but how fantasy relevant will he be?
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He was looking the part early last season before injuries slowed his momentum. I expect him to be the clear WR#2 in Indy this season barring more injuries. While I like AD Mitchell as a pick for the Colts, I do not think he will be fantasy relevant in 2024, because I do not think Richardson can support 3 fantasy relevant WRs. Plus, I think Jelani Woods will be relevant for the Colts, even if he isn't for fantasy. I know that was a mouthful, but the bottom line for me is that Downs will continue to ascend.
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I agree with that...I think he was sneaky good last year, especially considering he was injured...just having trouble putting stats next to his name.
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I view it a few ways:

He can give you 89-90% of Pittmans production, at least, for about a 9-10 round discount.

Was WR36 as a rookie after week 8, before his knee started making him miss time and impacting him. Was doing this with a rotating QB situation and without scoring many TD's. Was ahead of guys like Amari and Deebo at this point of the season.

I expect that production we saw the first 8 weeks to pick up. Granted a lot of that production came without AR but reading/hearing they got some kind of mind meld with each other is pretty encouraging.

I expect two constant's on the Colts passing game. Pittman and Downs. That's it. Everyone else is game to game, a lot of rotating with the Pierce/AD and the TE's.

A lot of tremendous WR value, he's one of them. Probably not league winning type upside, but most likely a rock solid WR3 type at a really cheap cost.
 
“This summer, Josh Downs looked like arguably the team’s best offensive player in training camp before sustaining a high-ankle sprain. Downs’ status for Week 1 is murky, but if fantasy players are willing to take a chance on drafting him without knowing his immediate availability, it may pay off in the long run. Downs was Anthony Richardson’s favorite target in camp, even more so than top wideout Michael Pittman Jr.”

@RomeovilleKid

nytimes.com/athletic/57125…
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Indy's WR corp all are wack a moles to me.

Low volume pass offense. Richardson likes to go bombs away more than dink n dunk.

Pierce...Downs...Mitchell...Pittman.

Is there/will there be a #1?

Total gamble each week right now.
 
Luke McCaffrey more valuable to y’all than Downs? In redraft he’s at the end of my bench for the newly dropped Downs.
 
Pietaster2 said:
Downs is practicing
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Anybody think Downs will become the Colts WR1 within a few weeks? Might be time to make a move for him before the return.
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Maybe. They sure gave Pittman a lot of money, to much IMO, but it's still in the realm of realistic probablity.

He was not the same player after his knee injury last year which happened in week 9. From weeks 3-8 he was actually dead even with Michael Pittman, they were tied as WR15 during this 6 game stretch with 14.2677 points apiece.

It may be cherry picking a tad to use those games but I think it's relative as Downs, like most rookies, needed at least a few games to get going and again he was not the same guy after the injury.

I know a saw a bunch of metrics over the off-season then before Downs week 9 knee injury he was really close to Pittman in several key stats.

It only stands to reason that second year Downs has experienced a higher growth curve then Pittman.
 
menobrown said:
Pietaster2 said:
Downs is practicing
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Anybody think Downs will become the Colts WR1 within a few weeks? Might be time to make a move for him before the return.
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Maybe. They sure gave Pittman a lot of money, to much IMO, but it's still in the realm of realistic probablity.

He was not the same player after his knee injury last year which happened in week 9. From weeks 3-8 he was actually dead even with Michael Pittman, they were tied as WR15 during this 6 game stretch with 14.2677 points apiece.

It may be cherry picking a tad to use those games but I think it's relative as Downs, like most rookies, needed at least a few games to get going and again he was not the same guy after the injury.

I know a saw a bunch of metrics over the off-season then before Downs week 9 knee injury he was really close to Pittman in several key stats.

It only stands to reason that second year Downs has experienced a higher growth curve then Pittman.
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Yeah, that high ankle sprain though. Downs is a great player but consistency is an issue with these injuries. If he's full speed, then there's no doubt he can hit a good ceiling. Can't underestimate this Colts offense.
 
Doubles said:
Luke McCaffrey more valuable to y’all than Downs? In redraft he’s at the end of my bench for the newly dropped Downs.
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Arrow is pointing up for Luke but I would not.

What I can't get out of my head is last year I left a big FFPC ME draft super weak at WR. I recall JuJu was my WR3, third WR I drafted to give you an idea.

Just the way the draft fell to me but I was worried about it and I scoured the waiver wire and after week one landed both Tank and Downs. All I can say is when Downs got the knee injury I felt like I lost my WR3 and Tank moved up that spot, and that's backed up in the stats.

So all off-season I'm seeing Tank going in round 5-6 of my drafts and Downs is like a round 13-14 guy and I never quite understood that gap as if anything Tank only got more target comp then Downs. Diggs>AD.

I've been drafting the heck out of Downs and I think Ballard was dead on when he went on a little mini spiel about how people forgot how good Downs was.

I fully understand Downs did a lot of that work with Minshew. I'm not scared off going from Minshew to AR, at all.
 
Drake Hater said:
menobrown said:
Pietaster2 said:
Downs is practicing
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Anybody think Downs will become the Colts WR1 within a few weeks? Might be time to make a move for him before the return.
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Maybe. They sure gave Pittman a lot of money, to much IMO, but it's still in the realm of realistic probablity.

He was not the same player after his knee injury last year which happened in week 9. From weeks 3-8 he was actually dead even with Michael Pittman, they were tied as WR15 during this 6 game stretch with 14.2677 points apiece.

It may be cherry picking a tad to use those games but I think it's relative as Downs, like most rookies, needed at least a few games to get going and again he was not the same guy after the injury.

I know a saw a bunch of metrics over the off-season then before Downs week 9 knee injury he was really close to Pittman in several key stats.

It only stands to reason that second year Downs has experienced a higher growth curve then Pittman.
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Yeah, that high ankle sprain though. Downs is a great player but consistency is an issue with these injuries. If he's full speed, then there's no doubt he can hit a good ceiling. Can't underestimate this Colts offense.
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He's had plenty of time to recover and I expect him to 100% in a week or two.
 
It’s possible we have a GB esque mess of who lights it up this week once Downs comes in. Mitchell might be the best of the bunch but Pittman/Downs/Mitchell is great trio for the Colts with Pierce a very nice deep threat 4th option.
 
IHEARTFF said:
It’s possible we have a GB esque mess of who lights it up this week once Downs comes in. Mitchell might be the best of the bunch but Pittman/Downs/Mitchell is great trio for the Colts with Pierce a very nice deep threat 4th option.
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I wouldn’t be so quick to label Pierce the 4th option.
 
The Coachspeak Index
#Colts HC Shane Steichen on Josh Downs:

“He’s gonna have a big-time career because of his work ethic, the way he runs routes, the way he attacks every day. He’s a huge asset to our football team.”
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"I have no idea what is happening but Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. is in uniform and catching passes in individual drills at today’s practice."
 
Downs had been on a heater entering Week 7

@MikeClay The streak continues: Josh Downs has never reached 6 fantasy points in a game Anthony Richardson has played in full.
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I get it. AR’s a unique athlete, they are biting the bullet in 2024 in the hopes they can fix his accuracy through reps. The Dude has very little playing experience on a football field at the college or pro level.

Tough to start any Colts WRs though. It is pretty alarming how bad the misses are rn.
 
Faust said:
Dwain McFarland
Josh Downs target shares since returning from injury:

Week 3: 29%
Week 4: 33%
Week 5: 27%
Week 6: 29%

Low target depths holding back massive upside but Downs is a TARGET MAGNET.
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Downs is decent. Love the guy. I've got him rostered but have not been starting him (other than injury/bye) but pretty happy with what he provides. if his QB can get on board hed be a whole lot better though.
 
Must start with Flacco. Must not start with AR.

Sad.


Heard Steichen say after the game that no one was open or no where for AR to go with the ball. If I’m Downs or the other WR’s I’m not happy hearing that as it comes across as putting blame on them.
 
What a bizaree game plan last night. I believe the Vikings are worst or second worst in the NFL against slot WR's and Downs by most accounts is the Colts best WR right now, actually got voted mid-season MVP of the team by one beat writer last week.

Downs is a lot like Jayden Reed had been, plays every snap in 11 personnel, never plays in 12 personnel. So Stiechen decided this was the game to go into heavy 12 personnel usage and Downs played exactly 50% of the snaps??? Was not even in the game on some key passing downs.

I can't make sense of it. Stiechen seemed intent on establishing the run and not taking advantage of his best matchup and that all seems to me like what he'd be trying to do more when he has Richardson under center instead of after making the move to Flacco.
 
Flacco going 16/27 does seem rather questionable from a game-plan standpoint. On top of that, the Vikings were getting to Flacco to where he seldom seemed comfortable. It looked lke it affected his accuracy in the targets Downs had and likely the number of targets. Better days ahead,hopefully.
 
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