Noah Compton· Sep 26, 2026
Compton expects Josh Downs to operate as the Colts' No. 1 receiver while Alec Pierce is sidelined, and anticipates Jonathan Taylor bouncing back against Houston's run defense.
“Downs caught seven of his nine targets for 72 receiving yards against the Chiefs, and now looks to serve as the Colts' de facto WR1 until Alec Pierce returns.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
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Josh Downs · 2026 season11 calls from 8 pundits between 1 and 2. Noah Compton said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
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- Depth Chart CallsJosh DownsIndianapolis ColtsSep 26, 2026
Josh Downs to be 1st on the depth chart
“fourth-year wideout Josh Downs remains the Colts' definitive best option in the passing game moving forward... now looks to serve as the Colts' de facto WR1 until Alec Pierce returns.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
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- Andrew MooreRoster Spot Calls · Anthony RichardsonHit · 100Moore expects Anthony Richardson Sr. to make the Colts' 53-man roster and win the QB2 job over Riley Leonard, and believes Spencer Shrader should beat out Blake Grupe for the kicking job; he also sees UDFA cornerback Kenneth Harris as having an outside shot at the roster.
- Carter BahnsRoster Spot Calls · Jerry TilleryMiss · 0A CBS Sports piece names 20 notable veterans it considers at risk of being cut before the 53-man roster deadline, with several pegged for the practice squad or outright release, and also sketches a few depth-chart pecking orders (Titans QBs, Panthers tight ends, Texans receivers, Eagles backfield).
- Jason FitzRoster Spot Calls · Anthony RichardsonMiss · 0Fitz predicts Anthony Richardson will be released rather than traded by the Colts.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Jonah ColemanMiss · 0In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.