Colts Seek Third-Round Pick for Josh Downs
Indianapolis is reportedly asking San Francisco for a third-round pick in exchange for the veteran wide receiver ahead of the November 10 trade deadline.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football
The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly seeking a third-round pick for wide receiver Josh Downs, who has requested a trade, as the 49ers look to add an outside target. The asking price comes after Indianapolis sent DeForest Buckner to San Francisco for a fourth-round pick.
Why it matters
Indianapolis appears to be beginning a fire sale and looking toward a possible rebuild, with Downs drawing much of the outside attention since Alec Pierce's injury. A deal would give San Francisco favorable one-on-one matchups for its passing game.
Downs has started five of Indianapolis's seven games this season, totaling 26 receptions on 46 targets for 307 yards without a touchdown. The Colts are seeking a third-round pick, a step up from the fourth-round pick they received for Buckner, and no deal has been finalized.
The players
Josh Downs
Downs is a wide receiver in his fourth NFL season who has requested a trade from the Indianapolis Colts.
DeForest Buckner
Buckner is a veteran defensive lineman whom the Colts traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick.
The details
Downs, in his fourth NFL season, has requested a trade from Indianapolis. The Colts' asking price of a third-round pick is reported as they weigh a possible rebuild ahead of the trade deadline.
Timeline
November 10, 2026: NFL trade deadline.
Season Trajectory
The Colts' pursuit of picks for Downs and Buckner follows the familiar pattern of sellers using the deadline to convert veterans into draft capital. For San Francisco, adding Downs would deepen a passing attack already bolstered by Buckner's arrival.
A Downs trade would reshape the Colts' receiver depth while giving San Francisco a second outside option alongside its newly added Buckner. Fantasy managers tracking Downs' 11.8 yards per reception should watch whether his role changes with a new team.
The takeaway
Trade deadlines often reveal which teams are retooling and which are pivoting toward the future. Watching how Indianapolis handles Downs will show how fully it commits to a rebuild.
What happens next
The NFL trade deadline is November 10, 2026, which will determine whether Downs is moved before the window closes.
Further reading
For more on the Colts' roster moves, see Football coverage on Wisevoter.
