​The Los Angeles Rams need to find a replacement for injured WR Davante Adams GettyIndianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs is gaining momentum on the trade block GettyIndianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs could soon be traded GettyThe Los Angeles Rams have clawed their way back to .500 with back-to-back wins — the latest being a 24-9 beatdown of the winless Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8.But the defense and running game are doing most of the heavy lifting.Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for just 157 yards against the Chargers — his second-lowest total of the season — and the Rams are still without six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams, who ruptured his hamstring in Week 6 and is expected to miss 6-10 weeks.However, help could be on the way.With the Nov. 10 trade deadline fast approaching, ESPN’s Ben Solak has pitched a deal that would bring a capable fill-in to Los Angeles, which would give the Rams some much-needed depth behind All-Pro Puka Nacua. Colts WR Josh Downs Could Make Sense for the RamsGettyIndianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs is gaining momentum on the trade block
In Solak’s proposal, the Colts would send Downs and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Rams for a 2028 third-round pick. “My biggest hang-up in trading Downs to anyone is that he has to be protected from blocking responsibilities,” he wrote. “But the Rams run so much 13 personnel that Downs can easily line up in isolation to the outside and stay out of the run concept.“He gives them a short-area winner for the goal-line and third-down packages at which wideout Davante Adams excelled — and, with Matthew Stafford struggling on longer throws and wanting to check down more often, quick winners are needed.“We typically think of Sean McVay as fielding only big-blocking slots, but in this newfangled McVay attack, Downs actually works. If the Rams are still all-in on this version of their team, Downs makes sense as a short-term relief valve and potential long-term signee to pair with Puka Nacua for the Ty Simpson era.” It’s not hard to see the vision. Stafford completed 13 of 14 passes thrown in under 2.5 seconds against the Chargers, according to BVM Sports. And quick-game targets are exactly where Downs has made his living.The Rams also don’t have much behind Nacua right now. Adams was the team’s leading receiver (30 catches, 480 yards, four touchdowns) when he went down.However, head coach Sean McVay brushed off the idea of adding a receiver in mid-October.“We’ve got some depth on our roster,” he said. How Downs Fits With the RamsGettyIndianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs could soon be traded
Downs is a willing seller’s dream.The 25-year-old is in the final year of his rookie contract and requested a trade last week. It came just one day after the Colts dealt away guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.“I’m open to whatever,” Downs told ESPN’s Stephen Holder. “Whatever comes my way, comes my way and we go from there.”Gran