Wide Recievers

Josh Downs (Colts) NFL Draft Preview

By Patrick Whelan

Posted on April 6, 2023

Post-Draft Fantasy Impact

Draft Team: Indianapolis Colts, Round 3, 10th pick (79th overall)

Profiling as a second-round pick and one of the better slot prospects for the NFL Draft, Josh Downs saw significantly more names called before his than most expected. There seems to be a lot of “I was never high on him” conjecture when a player slips in the draft, but this guy also had Reggie Wayne demanding the Colts draft him, and I trust him quite a bit more than internet talking heads. “I thought he was the best receiver at the Combine,” Wayne said. “I just think the way he ran his routes was effortless, smooth, and actually, what I saw at the Combine was not what I saw on tape. On tape … things looked a little bit more controlled, but at the Combine, you saw his speed.”

Even with Downs having slightly less draft capital than expected, your decision on him as a fantasy draft pick comes down to whether you believe in his skills, and whether you believe in his new quarterback. The Colts as a landing spot as a whole is…fine. But a lot is predicated on Richardson. Downs actually fits well with their current wide receiver talent, joining Michael Pittman and Alex Pierce who will patrol the outside and eat coverage. Downs, as a clear slot weapon, will be the underneath and inside option in the Colts’ offense. However, that requires Anthony Richards to be a consistent passer, support multiple weapons, and be accurate over the middle. The jury is still very out on all of those things.

There also are some questions about Downs’ game in general. His route running can’t be questioned, but his hands were up and down in 2022 and he needs to show that he won’t be re-routed by bigger NFL corners. If you believe in his ability to get open, he’s likely a buy regardless. If you aren’t sold on the tape, he’s a stay-away.

Regardless, his landing spot means you will have to be patient with him. This feels like a risky second-round pick for dynasty given how tied he is to Richardson’s development, but if you are sold on his ability to get open, that skill isn’t going away.

Josh Downs NFL Draft Preview

Another extremely productive wide receiver in this 2023 class, Josh Downs tallied 195 catches and over 2,350 yards in his final two seasons in Chapel Hill. Undersized but dynamic across the field, Downs simply gets yards one way or another. While potentially limited to the slot in the NFL, I like Downs’ chances to have a productive career if he lands in a passing offense that uses the slot effectively.

Measurables

• 5’9″ 171 lbs
• 40-yard dash – 4.48 seconds
• Vertical Jump – 38.5″
• Broad Jump – 10’11”

Stats at North Carolina

• 2022: 94 catches, 1029 yards, 11 TDs
• 2021: 101 catches, 1335 yards, 8 TDs
• 2020: 7 catches, 119 yards, 3 TDs

 

Strengths

Savvy and confident football player, who uses all his tools to consistently get open. Terrific quickness and deep speed. Route running savant, who shows above average ability at most of the tree. Aided in this is some of the best footwork in the class. Catch toughness is elite despite smaller size.

IF the #Browns go wide receiver at #42 North Carolina’s Josh Downs has to be the choice he has the speed and separation ability the team desperately needs to add to their offense not to mention he can play in the slot. pic.twitter.com/qIgTWdsbwr

— Tyler Johnson (@T_johnson_TJ) February 24, 2023

Weaknesses

Size limitations that will likely peg him as a slot only option in the NFL to start. Hands were spotty throughout 2022, needs to be more consistent. Deep ball tracking was average at best. Press coverage could be a major issue at the next level.

Grade: A-

Sometimes you grade a player more off feel than definite factors. And while Downs put up plenty of amazing tape, I also was in love with his toughness, physicality and even flair. Size concerns are certainly warranted, but it feels like Downs will find a way to be productive in the NFL one way or another. He has game.