Josh Downs trade grades as Colts-Chiefs make deal for WR
The Kansas City Chiefs finally have another weapon for Patrick Mahomes down the stretch. It seemed as though a deal wouldn’t be done ahead of the deadline, with Indianapolis holding onto their receiver — but in the end the Chiefs got in under the buzzer. The deal is as follows, according to Tom Pelissero: Chiefs […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have successfully acquired wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts in a trade that includes two first-round draft picks. According to Tom Pelissero, the Chiefs received Downs and a 2027 7th-round pick in exchange for the Colts gaining a 2027 4th-round pick and a 2027 5th-round pick. This deal is considered a solid, albeit unremarkable trade for the Chiefs, as Downs has been largely unremarkable since 2024.
His strengths lie in catching passes in the 5-to-6 yard range and gaining yards after catch (YAC), which aligns well with Patrick Mahomes' ball placement. However, Downs struggles to work in open space, making him less effective in other situations.
The Indianapolis Colts, on the other hand, received a 2027 4th-round pick and a 2027 5th-round pick in return for Downs. The Colts' grade for this trade is B, as they are in a state of disarray and any draft assets they can acquire through trades are valuable. Trading Downs not only recouped assets but also illustrates the Colts' decision not to hold onto him, similar to their approach with quarterback Jonathan Taylor.
The Colts are expected to undergo a complete tear-down and rebuild process in Indianapolis, and this trade allows them to move on from a player whose performance is unlikely to impact their future plans. Overall, this trade presents a lot of positives for the Chiefs but remains uncertain in its ability to propel the team to victory.
Written by urgent.news from SB Nation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
