Hopefully, there are better days ahead for the Colts from a proud franchise that once featured Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, as well as Andrew Luck to T.Y. Hilton.
According to PFF, the Indianapolis Colts have just the league’s 29th best quarterback to receiver pairing—featuring projected starter (and the incumbent) Anthony Richardson, as well as the team’s 2024 receptions leader Josh Downs:
29. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: ANTHONY RICHARDSON & JOSH DOWNS
Richardson’s lack of consistency and accuracy is well-documented. We’re splitting hairs about choosing between Downs and Pittman, but Downs was the higher-ranked player in PFF’s wide receiver rankings thanks to his higher 85.1 PFF receiving grade and higher 28.0% threat rate (target rate on routes run).
With former receiving leader Michael Pittman Jr. limited by a fractured lower back, Downs emerged as the Colts leading receiver last year, catching a team-high 72 receptions. The former 2023 third round pick also had 803 total receiving yards and 5 touchdown receptions predominantly in the slot during 14 games (8 starts) this past season.
While the Colts lack an elite NFL receiver in the mold of a Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, or CeeDee Lamb, etc., this is a receiver room that collectively has a lot of nice pieces with Pittman Jr., Downs, and Alec Pierce, who led the team with 7 touchdown receptions and averaged a whopping 22.3 yards per reception.
Not to mention, 2nd-year wideout AD Mitchell if he can take another step forward in focus and consistency, as well as prized rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who the Colts wasted no time recently selecting with the 14th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Honestly, this low ranking, which is the 4th worst in the NFL, speaks more to the current state of the Colts starting quarterback position where either Richardson or top challenger Daniel Jones will need to show improved accuracy, consistency, and availability from what Indianapolis endured last season (*and to be honest, Indy really hasn’t received exceptional starting quarterback play throughout an entire NFL season since Philip Rivers one-year playoffs stint back in 2020). Hopefully that changes again starting next season!