The Detroit Lions' trade deadline plan, should they make an addition, seems clear. Cornerback is the No. 1 need on the roster, and ideas about who they could target are centered there and focused on teams who are lined up to be sellers.
The Indianapolis Colts fully declared themselves as a seller two weeks out from the trade deadline, trading guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner in a matter of hours on Tuesday. There's plenty of remaining talent on the roster for contending teams to pick from, from big names to lesser-known players.
While the defense is an easy focus for the Lions, the offense is not without some issues. The No. 3 wide receiver being on the periphery of the target tree predates Drew Petzing being the offensive coordinator, but Isaac TeSlaa has been doing quite a bit of cardio with 21 targets on 168 routes run this season. Eight of those targets came in Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers, and over the last two games he has one catch on four targets.
Colts' fire sale bring sneaky great Lions' trade target to light
As the Colts likely continue to trade players, those who are on expiring contracts are prime to be moved.
In the wake of the two big trades on Tuesday, every NFL insider has highlighted the next Colt who could be on the move.
WR-needy teams have called the #Colts on WR Josh Downs, according to several league sources.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 27, 2026
He’s a name that could be dealt as well. https://t.co/S7weO6cObJ
Now into four seasons as a Colt, whatever the reasons, the idea of Downs has consistently exceeded the execution on the field. The absence of Alec Pierce has not been the boon it was envisioned to be, and lately he's generally been targeted less than the shell of what was once Keenan Allen.
Any team that needs a wide receiver at the trade deadline should see an opportunity, and the prorated portion of Downs' $3.9 million base salary for this year adds to the appeal. He's also officially asked for a trade from the Colts as of Wednesday afternoon, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Fantasy Points Data has a metric with the acronym ASS, as in Average Separation Score. As analyst Scott Barrett noted, via a chart showing targets per route run relative to Separation Score through Week 7, Downs is an underutilized "ASS God."
The 49ers, Raiders, Chiefs, Bills, Patriots could really use an ASSgod like Josh Downs@FantasyPtsData pic.twitter.com/nTvcjORpXp
— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) October 27, 2026
Downs also has the best "ASS" among wide receivers when lined up out wide this season.
Hmm, I wonder if any teams need an extremely disgruntled WR with a huge ASS when lined up out wide? @FantasyPtsData pic.twitter.com/BdCM25rPnb
— Fantasy Points (@FantasyPts) October 28, 2026
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The Colts seem to recognize that proficiency from Downs, with a larger share of his snaps lined up out wide than he has ever had in his career. But there has been a real failure to activate production for him, with many possible reasons for that despite the fact he is getting ample separation.
Wide receiver is well down, if it's even on, the list of trade deadline needs for the Lions. But they could lean into building the offense into a robust strength, and Downs can certainly help boost their third down efficiency, which is 17th in the league right now.
Based solely on the number of wide receiver-needy teams who should have interest, the odds Downs becomes a Lion before the trade deadline are not very good. But the chances are also not zero, and the offensive ecosystem in Detroit could unlock him like few can.
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