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Josh Downs trade rumors: 5 teams who could be interested in Colts WR after demand
Indianapolis Colts v Minnesota Vikings Getty Images
(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

On Tuesday the fire sale began in Indianapolis, with the Colts trading away both Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline.

But the deals might not end there.

On Wednesday morning wide receiver Josh Downs requested a trade, and the WR should have no shortage of suitors on the open market.

Here are five teams that should pick up the phone.

Kansas City Chiefs

When the Colts swung the pair of trades on Tuesday, first sending guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and then trading DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers, two more players cropped up in online speculation including Downs.

And the Kansas City Chiefs were immediately linked to the wide receiver.

It makes a great deal of sense. The Chiefs, despite last Sunday night’s loss to Seattle, look like they are back among the top teams in the AFC, and the acquisition of Kenneth Walker III this past offseason has given that running game a much-needed bost.

However, the passing game could use some help, which does sound surprising considering the return of Patrick Mahomes. But with Tyquan Thornton lost for the season due to injury, and Rashee Rice still working his way back from a hamstring injury suffered against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4, adding a WR makes a great deal of sense for the Chiefs.

San Francisco 49ers

Another team that has been plagued by injuries to the WR room?

The San Francisco 49ers.

The list of receivers that are currently on Injured Reserve could form a s tarting group for an NFL team. DeMarcus Robinson, D’Zhaun Stribling, and Ricky Pearsall are all out, and Brandon Aiyuk remains away from the league following a bizarre offseason. And while Mike Evans ans Deebo Samuel are on the active roster, both have dealt with injuries this season.

San Francisco signed veteran Brandin Cooks to the practice squad at the end of September, and promoted him to the active roster ahead of Week 4, but for a team with eyes on another deep playoff run, Downs would give Kyle Shanahan another top-level talent in the WR room, and give quarterback Brock Purdy a much-needed target in the passing game.

Atlanta Falcons

While the first two teams have a need at the position due to injuries, the Atlanta Falcons are an intriguing option due to the skillset of the players on the roster, and what coudl help this team contend in the NFC South.

With Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr., the Falcons have the two big-body receivers on the outside. But finding the right mix of slot and Z-receiver options has been tougher. Jahan Dotson is one option, as is Olamide Zaccheaus. Then there is rookie Zachariah Branch, but he has struggled with ball security, losing a pair of fumbles against the Chicago Bears in Week 6.

But Downs would give Atlanta an established weapon out of the slot, a great complement to what the Falcons can roll out along the boundaries.

Washington Commanders

Having talked more about scheme with the previous team, we return to the idea of filling out the roster after injuries.

The Commanders just confirmed on Wednesday that Terry McLaurin has been placed on Injured Reserve after tearing his patellar tendon against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6, officially ending his season. The team had already announced that he would be out for the year after the loss to San Francisco, but now it is officially official.

Dyami Brown, Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams, Treylon Burks, and Luke McCaffrey are the current options in the WR room, but adding Downs would give Jayden Daniels another target in the passing game. While the Commanders are currently at the bottom of the division with a 1-4-1 record, they are just three games behind the Giants in the win column, and with the Philadelphia Eagles struggling and the Dallas Cowboys enduring another up-and-down season, there is no reason to punt on this season yet in Washington.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Another team rumored to be in the market for WR help is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

At the moment, rookie Germie Bernard and veteran DK Metcalf are the two main targets for Aaron Rodgers. Michael Pittman Jr. is currently on Injured Reserve with a foot injury — and reports out of Pittsburgh hold that it could be an extended absence — and Roman Wilson is on IR as well, although his finger injury could see him return for Week 10.

According to this piece from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen, the Steelers are one of the teams that fit Downs best, along with the Chiefs. Bowen describes Downs as someone with the “sudden footwork and coverage recognition to uncover between the number [who] fits a team looking for a high-bercentage target to win underneath and move the chains.”

Pittsburgh could ideally be that spot, given what Bernard and Metcalf bring to the table.

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