The days of dreaming about wide receivers who could end up on the Patriots may have ended the moment they traded for A.J. Brown. But because he missed four games with an ankle injury and hasn't performed at the level they needed in his two games back, the trade deadline looks like an opportunity for the Patriots to bring in another star.
That feeling has only deepened after Romeo Doubs, whom they signed as a free agent to be their WR2, was placed on injured reserve following their Week 6 game against the Jets, further depleting the receiving corps even with Brown back in the lineup.
The offense is clearly missing Stefon Diggs, and maybe even Kayshon Boutte, so pursuing another playmaker before the deadline would be a wise move. As for who might be available, the Colts should be near the top of the list.
Because they're suspected to be nearing a fire sale after letting go of their general manager last week, the Patriots should inquire about wide receiver Josh Downs, who Drake Maye played with at the University of North Carolina.
The duo was a lethal pair during the 2022 season, and given their chemistry and familiarity, reuniting them should be seriously considered in New England.
Trading for another wide receiver wouldn't be a bad decision by the Patriots
Downs was drafted a year before Maye and has become a star for the Colts in the years since. He was a third-round pick who landed on a dysfunctional team and has gone through multiple quarterbacks in just four years.
His most notable season came in 2024, when he recorded 72 receptions for 803 yards and 5 touchdowns, competing with Alec Pierce for the official WR1 title.
Over six games this season, even with Pierce sidelined, Downs hasn't matched his earlier success, with just 24 catches for 289 yards. With him not on track to exceed expectations and playing in the final year of his contract for a team that appears ready for a major reset, the Patriots could swoop in and pair him with his college quarterback sooner rather than later.
Their connection was legitimate at UNC in 2021, with Downs catching 101 passes for 1,335 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging nearly 103 yards per game. Maye also put up impressive numbers, throwing 342/517 for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions.
The quarterback led the conference in nearly every category, including averaging 308.6 yards per game, while Downs led in receptions that season.
Both have become stars in their own right since joining the NFL, and now that Maye won't have Doubs for the next three games and Mack Hollins won't be available for at least the next game, Downs should be a player of interest.
Not only could he plug and play because of his previous connection to Maye, but at just 25, he gives the Patriots another player to develop on offense and with their quarterback, which is what Mike Vrabel has emphasized he wants on the roster.
Much of the decision will come down to how they feel about DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism, given that Downs is also a smaller slot receiver. From the looks of it, Josh McDaniels has been inconsistent in how he uses them this season, so it doesn't seem right to rule out the possibility of a trade for Downs just yet.
Regardless, if the Colts are willing to part with him for a reasonable price, the Patriots' front office has no reason not to inquire. Even if they ultimately don't trade for him or they're not 100% interested, they should make the call.
It's almost never a bad idea to reunite a quarterback and his former college receiver.
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