Chiefs Acquire Josh Downs for Two 2027 Draft Picks
The trade sends the slot receiver from Indianapolis to Kansas City in exchange for fourth and fifth-round selections.
By Olivia Miller ·
The Kansas City Chiefs acquired wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday ahead of the NFL trade deadline. In the deal, Kansas City sent a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to Indianapolis. The Colts also transferred a 2027 seventh-round pick, originally owned by the Buffalo Bills, as part of the compensation package.
Downs, 25, was trading for a change in quarterback play. He previously caught passes from Daniel Jones, who holds an 82.3 passer rating this season. That statistic ranks 34th among 35 qualified quarterbacks in the league. Downs will now throw with Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP. Upon learning of the move, Downs posted a video of basketball player Vince Carter expressing gratitude on social media.
He followed that post with a message thanking the organization for his time in Indianapolis. He wrote, "I am beyond grateful and blessed for my time in Indy. Nothing but love for the [horse] Shoe."
The Chiefs needed additional receiving production. The team is averaging 117.5 receiving yards per game from wide receivers this season. That total is the lowest in the era of Mahomes, defined here as starting in 2018. It also ranks 28th in the NFL. Other receivers on the roster, including Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, have not provided the expected volume.
Downs has generated 1,995 receiving yards out of the slot since entering the league in 2023. That figure is the second highest in the NFL over a career span. Only Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has more with 2,160 yards in that alignment. Downs is playing the final year of his rookie contract in 2026.
The Colts received value for a player who had requested a trade. Downs was unlikely to re-sign with Indianapolis in the 2027 offseason. The team is preparing for a rebuild under new general manager leadership. Securing multiple Day 3 draft picks for a player with one year remaining on his deal was viewed as a positive outcome for Indianapolis.
