Sports Illustrated’s Andrew Moore reports that the Colts were lining up WR Josh Downs out wide and in the slot at mandatory minicamp.
According to PFF, Downs has logged 1,561 slot snaps and 448 perimeter snaps over the course of his career. Per Colts coach Shane Steichen, the plan this offseason was to get Downs some reps on the outside in spring practices “and see where that goes.” Downs clearly profiles as the second-best Colts receiver behind Alec Pierce, so it makes plenty of sense to see if he can stick on the field in 12-personnel sets. With Pierce (ankle) still sidelined and on a murky timetable for the beginning of the season, there is also a path for Downs to see a heavy target share if Pierce is sidelined early. Downs has a chance to beat his current WR4 ADP.