Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 2, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Adam Schefter of ESPN revealed that the Indianapolis Colts are looking for a fourth-round pick in a potential Josh Downs trade. The Pittsburgh Steelers do not have a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, but they do have two third-round picks.
Schefter reported earlier this week that the Colts were seeking a third-round pick. It apparently has dropped to a fourth now.
“Josh Downs sounds like he could be on the move this week for a fourth-round draft pick. Kansas City is interested. Pittsburgh is interested. Teams looking for a receiver are interested,” Schefter said on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown.
With the Colts continuing their fire sale after firing general manager Chris Ballard, Downs formally requested a trade last week.
The Colts traded guard Quentin Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and Downs, the team’s slot receiver, could be the next to go.
The Steelers have been playing without three of their top five wide receivers the last few weeks, with Roman Wilson, Michael Pittman Jr. and Ben Skowronek all out of action. DK Metcalf has also struggled this season.
Downs, 25, was a third-round pick of the Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft. A 5-foot-9, 171-pound receiver out of North Carolina, he became a starter as a rookie and has posted three strong seasons to start his NFL career, despite a very unsettled quarterback situation in Indianapolis.
Downs had his best season in 2024, when he caught 72 passes for 803 yards and five touchdowns, almost exclusively playing out of the slot. This season, with Pittman traded from the Colts to the Steelers this offseason, Downs has been playing more outside receiver and has been slightly less productive. In seven games, he’s caught 26 passes for 307 yards and has yet to score.
The Steelers will not be the only team after Downs, and the Kansas City Chiefs, who are dealing with injuries to receivers Tyquan Thornton and Rashee Rice, may be the top completion.
The Steelers have been connected to other receivers, including former Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr.
The NFL trade deadline is on Nov. 10.
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