The Indianapolis Colts are entering a new era for the 2023 NFL season. First-year head coach Shane Steichen is now at the helm, but the team will also have quite a few new faces playing key roles.

Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is obviously the headliner of that group. Richardson was selected No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, and it's only a matter of time before the franchise hands him the keys for the foreseeable future.

Richardson is not the only new face, though. Wide receiver Josh Downs is also set to play an important role for Steichen and the offense. Downs was drafted in the third-round and will be counted on in early.

Downs put together a productive career at North Carolina. He went over the 1,000-yard mark twice in three seasons for the Tar Heels. He is a weapon out of the slot that should immediately emerge as a go-to option for Richardson in the passing game.

Furthermore, the opportunity is there for Downs to do just that. Michael Pittman is the established weapon outside and rising second-year pass catcher Alec Pierce has flashed promise. Outside of that, there's not a ton there. 

Therefore, Pro Football Focus has tabbed Downs as the rookie to watch for the Colts in the 2023 season. PFF views Downs as a potential ideal fit alongside the other weapons in the offense.

The Colts used a third-round pick on the rookie out of North Carolina, and he will have an opportunity to contribute right away given the lack of depth at receiver. Downs earned a 90.6 receiving grade out of the slot in college and could wind up being a great complementary piece to Pittman.

If Downs does take advantage of the likely opportunity, that will lead to good things for Richardson. The two have already hit it off in rookie minicamp and are set to be foundational pieces moving forward.