Chiefs acquire Josh Downs from Colts in exchange for two 2027 draft picks

Pete Sweeney, The Kansas City Star on Nov 10, 2026

Published in Football

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs have added to their wide receiver group.

The Chiefs sent a fourth- and a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NFL draft to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for wide receiver Josh Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick, a source confirmed to The Kansas City Star.

Downs, 25, entered the league as a third-round pick out of the University of North Carolina made by the Colts during the 2023 NFL draft.

After earning first-team All-ACC honors at North Carolina in 2021 and 2022, the 5-foot-9, 171-pound receiver compiled 198 catches for 2,140 yards and 11 touchdowns during his first three seasons with the Colts.

In nine appearances for the Colts in 2026, Downs has 33 receptions for 354 yards and a touchdown. He became available as the two-win Colts began selling off pieces as part of their rebuilding efforts.

ESPN reported in late October that Downs had requested a trade, with several indications that the receiver-needy Chiefs were interested. On Oct. 30, Colts head coach Shane Steichen acknowledged the request.

The Chiefs needed help at receiver following the Week 4 injury to deep threat Tyquan Thornton. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy also injured his hamstring during Kansas City’s 35-12 win over the New York Jets on Sunday.

Downs’ fit with the Chiefs is an intriguing one. He has lined up in the slot on 57% of his snaps this season and has been among the league’s best at creating separation — something Kansas City has lacked at times in 2026.

Downs is in the final season of his four-year rookie contract, meaning he’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. With the move, Kansas City has quietly given itself another option as it considers the future of impending free agent Rashee Rice.

Help is on the way. Time will tell if it makes the difference.

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Kansas City Star columnist Sam McDowell contributed to this report.