Were there any Indianapolis Colts players on PFF’s top 25 under 25 rankings for the 2025 season?
Pro Football Focus put together its list of the top 25 players under 25 years old entering the 2025 NFL season, but no members of the Indianapolis Colts roster were included.
At the top of the list was Detroit tackle Penei Sewell, followed by the Rams‘ Puka Nacua, Baltimore’s Kyle Hamilton, and Washington’s Jayden Daniels.
Based on current resumes, if there were a Colts player to be on this list from PFF, it would be wide receiver Josh Downs.
For two seasons now, Downs has been one of the most productive slot receivers in football. As a rookie in 2023, he recorded 771 receiving yards and followed that up with 803 this past season.
Among slot receivers in 2024 specifically, Downs was third in targets, fourth in receptions, and fifth in receiving yards. Generally speaking, he’s been very good after the catch, ranking 23rd among all receivers in YAC last season, per PFF.
“He’s the ultimate pro,” Steichen said last season. “He does everything right. The treatment he gets, the way he works, what he brings to that receiver room is great. I mean, you can see what he’s done in hist first year and a half, how productive he’s been. He’s going to have a big-time career because of the way he works, his work ethic, the way he runs routes, the way he attacks every day. He’s a huge asset to our football team.”
What makes Downs’ production all the more impressive is that he’s produced those numbers with up-and-down quarterback play. It doesn’t matter who is under center on a given week, Downs is often a reliable go-to presence for whoever the quarterback is.
With some strong 2025 seasons, along with Downs, Tyler Warren, and Nick Cross, could be potential candidates for this list in 2026.
(This article was updated to provide additional information.)