The Cincinnati Bengals probably won’t be in the market for the kind of asking price the Indianapolis Colts would want for Jonathan Taylor at the NFL trade deadline.
But there could be another Colts name worth watching: wide receiver Josh Downs.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, contenders such as the Chiefs, Steelers and 49ers could have interest in Downs if they can’t land Brian Thomas Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Breer noted that Indianapolis appears willing to deal, and he pointed to Downs as a possible target.
“...Thomas brings a downfield element that’s really important in keeping defenses honest against the run, and opening things up underneath for Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington,” Breer wrote. “So now Downs, who’d probably cost a fourth-round pick, would loom as a possibility for the Chiefs.”
Downs, a third-round pick in 2023, has 228 career receptions, averages 10.8 yards per catch and has scored 12 touchdowns in 55 games.
For Cincinnati, receiver is not the biggest need on the roster compared with some of the issues on defense. Still, the Bengals have been leaning heavily on the pass with Joe Burrow, while the under-center game and Chase Brown have struggled. Another option in the passing attack could help.
There’s also the matter of depth. After Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas remains on injured reserve, and rookie Colbie Young is just getting back from an injury.
Downs would likely cost more than the Bengals would prefer for a position they already view as a strength. Even so, given the way Cincinnati is trying to attack defenses, it’s the kind of move that would be hard to argue against.
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The bigger takeaway for Cincinnati is that the sideline tension did not stop Chase from producing when it mattered. He still turned in a strong performance against the Tennessee Titans, which is part of why the episode feels more like a flashpoint than a full-blown issue, even if the optics had fans wondering how much was bubbling beneath the surface. [Read more 🡒]