Why a Josh Downs Trade Makes Sense for Steelers

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The 2-6 Colts have already traded a couple of their best players, now receiver Josh Downs wants out. There is interest from the Steelers with reports the compensation could be anywhere from a third to fifth-round pick. What would he add in a potential trade to the Steelers?

The 5’9”, 171-pounder is known for his athleticism and burst, but ran only a 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He has change of direction ability, but is having a career year averaging 11.0 yards per reception, 66^th in the NFL (30 catches for 330 yards and no touchdowns in 2026). The YAC, yards after catch, average this year is 3.4 yards, that is 99^th in the NFL, and 4.5 yards for his career. He’s credited for six broken tackles in his career, by comparison Steelers rookie Germie Bernard has four in just four NFL starts.

Downs was known for catch toughness coming out of North Carolina, he has one drop this year and his catch percentage is 58.8. A good stat is 69% of his receptions have gone for first downs. For his career, 66.3 is his catch percentage with 15 career drops and 55% is his first down percentage. Downs is also playing an NFL career-high 81% of the offensive snaps this season.

He is tied for 31^st in the NFL this season with five catches of at least 20 yards. Last year he was 126^th in the NFL with only four catches of at least 20 yards. Downs had 10 catches of at least 20 yards in 2024 (same as former Steelers receiver Calvin Austin) and tied for 46^th in the NFL. He also had 10 his rookie year which was tied for 43^rd in the NFL with Diontae Johnson and Michael Pittman, Junior.

The 25-year-old is in the final season of his rookie deal, so you would be trading for a pure rental. That could be an advantage if you don’t want to add salary with DK Metcalf and Downs old teammate Michael Pittman, Junior on the books with big salaries and Bernard just a rookie and if you want to give 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson one last chance.