Chiefs land much-needed wide receiver help after acquiring Josh Downs from Colts

Indy received a fourth-round pick and a fifth-round pick as part of the deal.

Downs, 25, has put up 354 receiving yards and one touchdown on 33 receptions through nine games this season. The former 2023 third-round pick has spent all four years of his career with the Colts prior to the trade. 

He'll now join a 6-2 Chiefs team in dire need of wide receiver help as they look to get back to yet another Super Bowl. 

None of the Chiefs' wide receivers have eclipsed 300 yards or two touchdowns this season. The combined yardage (570) between their top two receivers, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, is just 88 more yards than what Travis Kelce (482) has this season by himself. 

However, Kansas City currently ranks 10th in passing offense (246.4 YPG). Now, Downs will look to help quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the offense become more multi-dimensional. 

As for the Colts, this marks their fourth trade ahead of the deadline. The first came from dealing Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks, followed by DeForest Buckner and Keenan Allen to the San Francisco 49ers. 

In total, the Colts have received a third-round pick, a pair of fourth-round picks, and a sixth-round pick for 2027, and a fifth-round pick in 2028 as part of their deals.