kansascity
In a move to bolster their receiving corps, the Kansas City Chiefs acquired wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts an hour before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, according to a source. The Chiefs sent fourth- and fifth-round draft picks to Indianapolis in exchange for Downs and a seventh-round selection.
The trade comes after the Chiefs' early-season struggles at wide receiver became a midseason priority. While the team remains one of the most efficient offenses on a per-play basis, their red-zone inefficiency and lack of explosive plays have been concerning. The acquisition of Downs, a 5-foot-9 slot receiver, provides a proven separator who can win on third downs.
Downs' Strengths: Getting Open and Converting Third Downs
Downs immediately becomes the Chiefs' best asset in a crucial trait: getting open. His separation score ranks fifth-highest in the NFL, per Fantasy Points data. Against man coverage, Downs averages 1.6 yards per route run, significantly better than Chiefs receivers Xavier Worthy (1.2) and Rashee Rice (1.1) in that same statistic, per FTN data.
But Downs truly shines on third downs. He averages 2.6 yards per route run against man coverage on third downs and ranks 12th in the league in converting third downs into first downs, all while playing in an offense led by Daniel Jones. The Chiefs have long relied on scheme to beat man coverage on third downs; now they have a player who can simply win.
What Downs Doesn't Bring: Downfield Threat
However, Downs is not much of a downfield weapon. He has the eighth-lowest average depth of target in the NFL, and his addition does not address the Chiefs' inability to generate explosive plays in the deeper part of the secondary. The team has not completed a downfield pass since Tyquan Thornton dislocated his ankle in Las Vegas more than a month ago. Last week, the average Patrick Mahomes target stood just 2.9 yards past the line of scrimmage, the lowest among starting quarterbacks in Week 9, per PFF.
After the trade, the Chiefs must focus on two things: getting Downs up to speed quickly and using his ability to get open on underneath and intermediate routes to create opportunities downfield. The trade raises the Chiefs' floor; how they answer those questions will determine their ceiling.
Originally reported by kansascity.