The Kansas City Chiefs have addressed their primary offensive need by acquiring wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two draft picks, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
The deal, confirmed by AP reporter Dave Skretta, sends the 2022 third-round selection to Kansas City as the Chiefs pursue another Super Bowl title. Downs, who has developed into a reliable slot target since entering the league, gives quarterback Patrick Mahomes a proven separator underneath and on intermediate routes.
Indianapolis receives a pair of future selections as the Colts continue reshaping their roster under general manager Chris Ballard. The compensation reflects Downs' production through his first three NFL seasons, during which he established himself as a consistent chain-mover in Shane Steichen's offense.
Kansas City's receiving corps, which relied heavily on Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice last season, gains a player who averaged more than 70 receptions per year in Indianapolis. The Chiefs' front office identified the position as the roster's most pressing vacancy entering the 2026 campaign.
