As slot receivers go, Josh Downs is something of a throwback. For one thing, the Indianapolis Colts’ third-year player almost always lines up in the slot. That may seem like a simple concept, but it is somewhat rare these days, when many of the most productive slot receivers are just as likely to split out wide.
Then there is his size. Downs is officially listed at 5’9”, 171 pounds, making him the smallest player on the team, except recently signed kicker Blake Grupe.
And finally, there is the skill set. Downs, like many of the greatest slot receivers in NFL history, wins with quickness more than speed. He wins by running exceptional routes instead of merely overpowering defenders on contested catches.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs plays bigger than his size suggests
That was all on display in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers. Despite being down three starting offensive linemen, having zero running game, and a game-but-limited Philip Rivers at quarterback, the Colts put up 27 points on the 49ers.
It wasn’t nearly enough due to a subpar defensive effort, but Josh Downs reminded fans that though he may be small, he is one of the most effective slots in the league.
When he was coming out of North Carolina, where he had been a largely unstoppable force, there were obvious concerns about Downs’ size. He slid into the third round of a relatively weak year at wide receiver, chosen 12th at his position. Three years in, he has more catches and more yards than all but three of the receivers chosen ahead of him.
His ability has transcended constant turnover at quarterback. Consistency between a QB and a receiver matters more for slot players than X or Z receivers because so much of a slot’s production is based on timing.
The Colts were among the first teams to employ a permanent slot receiver. In 2004, Brandon Stokley ran out of the slot while Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne lined up wide. All three topped 65 catches, 1,000 yards, and scored double-digit touchdowns.
A few seasons later, after he joined Tom Brady in New England, Wesley Welker began redefining what a little, quick receiver could accomplish if he got a free release and had a great quarterback throwing him the ball. New England continued that style of play with Julian Edelman and won three Super Bowls.
But in the 2010s, the position evolved. As defenses began employing smaller, quicker cornerbacks to handle players like Welker and Edelman, creative offensive coordinators recognized the opportunity for mismatches if they lined up bigger receivers inside.
They just needed to be a precise route runner. Throwing to slots often involves putting the ball into areas where there are a lot of defenders. Timing is essential.
So savvy vets who had lined up outside early in their careers moved inside when they lost a half step. Players like Larry Fitzgerald and Keenan Allen could overwhelm smaller slots. These days, the Rams’ Puka Nacua is virtually uncoverable when he lines up inside.
But many of today’s most productive slot receivers – like Nacua and Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba – are just as likely to line up outside. They are dangerous in large part because of their versatility.
Josh Downs may not be the most versatile receiver in the league. But with the things he does well, he has proven to be a master. He showed it on the Colts’ first drive against San Francisco.
First, he got lost on a short out that resulted in a 17 yard gain. Three plays later, facing a third and twelve, Downs ran a little curl pattern that included a half dozen jukes,
He ended up exactly where he was supposed to be, and Rivers trusted him enough to put the ball into a tight window. Downs made the catch, then worked his way for a few extra yards and a first down. It was a definitive slot receiver play.
On the day, Downs caught five balls for 65 yards and ran one reverse for a few yards. As the 49ers continually shut down Jonathan Taylor’s runs and learned that Rivers could not beat them deep, they began tightening the screws on Indy’s passing game.
In the end, the Colts’ offense simply couldn’t overcome the loss of three starting linemen and their first-string quarterback – not on a night when their defense turned in its worst performance of the year.
But Josh Downs – all 171 pounds of him – certainly was not the problem. He was one of the best players on the field for the Colts and should be a major part of the offense regardless of who is at quarterback in 2026.