Stampede Blue
The Colts have some promising young wideouts, particularly as it relates to running these respective routes.
According to PFF, two young Indianapolis Colts wideouts, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce, excelled at the flat/speed out and post route respectively in the passing game during 2024.
Specifically, each was among the highest graded wide receivers this past season when compared to their peers regarding each respective route:
Flat/Speed Out (min. 5 Targets)
1. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (85.9)
2. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (80.4)
3. Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (79.4)
Only 14 receivers were targeted five or more times on flat routes in 2024. Josh Downs led the group in PFF receiving grade, generating a 46.2% threat rate on the route (second best). He caught five of six such passes for 41 yards, turning four into first downs while averaging 6.4 yards after the catch per reception.
The former Tar Heel has caught seven of nine flat-route targets through two seasons, earning an 80.5 PFF receiving grade on those plays (third best).
Post (min. 5 Targets)
1. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (97.9)
2. Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (96.2)
Nico Collins, Houston Texans (94.8)
Brian Thomas Jr. is the only rookie receiver from last season to lead the way in PFF grade on any route. Another excellent deep threat, Thomas secured four of six post targets for 206 yards (most). Five of his targets came on deep throws, and each catch gained more than 20 yards. Thomas ranked second in overall threat rate on post routes (85.7%), while 20% of his deep field targets came from posts.
Since being selected in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Downs has emerged as one of the better young slot wideouts in the entire league and arguably is the best kept Colts secret within their passing game.
He seemed to have more success with veteran Joe Flacco last season, over Anthony Richardson. The former who seemed to take more of the underneath routes and checkdowns. However, he’s been successful regardless of who’s been starting for Indy, and that speaks volumes for where both Pierce and him are at given the volatility and inconsistency of the Colts starting quarterbacks the past few seasons.
Meanwhile, Alec Pierce, a former 2022 2nd round pick of Indianapolis, led the Colts in receiving yards (824), touchdown receptions (7), and yards per reception average (22.3 yards per reception). It’s not surprising that he was among the league’s standouts at running a deep route last season.
While Pierce is more of a ‘one trick pony’—going deep above all else, rather than a route tree aficionado. His niche ability as a dangerous downfield threat makes him one of the best in the business as far as stretching the field is concerned.
We’ll see if each can have the same success in 2025, with either Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson...
