Kansas City sends a 2027 fourth-round pick and fifth-round picks to Indianapolis for Downs and a 2027 seventh-rounder.
The Chiefs finally made their expected move at wide receiver on Tuesday, agreeing to acquire Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts, according to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero. Kansas City is sending a 2027 fourth-round pick and fifth-round picks to Indianapolis in exchange for Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Downs is a fourth-year receiver who has racked up 2,494 career receiving yards and 12 touchdowns since Indianapolis took him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He is in the final season of that rookie contract, making him a short-term addition for a Chiefs offense that has been searching for reinforcements at the position.
The trade continues a teardown in Indianapolis, where a lost season has already seen the Colts move on from defensive lineman DeForest Buckner and left guard Quenton Nelson, among others. Downs becomes the latest veteran shipped out as the franchise looks ahead rather than to the present.
For Kansas City, the move adds a proven pass catcher without committing significant draft capital beyond a handful of mid-to-late round picks, giving the Chiefs another option as they try to round out their receiving corps.