The Indianapolis Colts added an offensive weapon in the third round, selecting North Carolina WR Josh Downs with the 79th pick. I started to think to myself, Colts GM Chris Ballard really trying to get out of the dog house. Remind you, he had already drafted QB Anthony Richardson in the first round then traded back twice in the second round before drafting athletic CB Julius Brents, who is an Indiana native. Back to Downs, he just completed a record setting career at UNC posting back to back 1,000 yard seasons.
What do we know about Josh Downs, he’s a 5’9, 171 pound speedster with great hands, who had a total of 195 receptions and 19 touchdowns in a two seasons at UNC. Very impressive right? Downs led the ACC in receptions in 2021 and 2022, his 101 catches and 1,335 yards in 2021 set a pair of single-season records. Downs was also named All-ACC Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022. Downs at the NFL Combine recorded a 4.48-second 40-yard dash and a 38.5-inch vertical leap. Dane Brugler from The Athletic has this to say about Josh Downs.
“A two-year starter at North Carolina, Downs was primarily a slot receiver in former offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s version of the Air Raid scheme. One of the most prolific receivers in school history, he set the single-season records for catches and receiving yards in 2021 and leaves Chapel Hill No. 3 in career receptions (202) and No. 5 in receiving yards (2,483). With his athleticism and route-running prowess, Downs looks like a predator playing with his prey, patiently throttling his speed with a clear understanding of how to get open and move the sticks. He is obviously undersized, but he has the catch radius of a bigger player, and his competitive chip comes from always being a little smaller on the football field. Overall, Downs’ lack of size will face more resistance versus physical NFL coverage, but he is a tough cover in the slot one-on-one thanks to his gear changes and shifty route running. He projects as a three-level slot weapon for an NFL offense and adds punt return value.”
NFL experts during the NFL Draft said Josh Downs player comp was former NFL wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, who is currently wide receiver coach for the Detroit Lions. Also, former Colts wide receiver, who is currently the wide receiver coach in Indianapolis said he thought Downs was the best wide receiver at the combine and how he would be perfect for the Colts offense.
Downs made a great first impression as he begin working out with rookie QB Anthony Richardson in the hotel parking lot the night before rookie camp. Richardson on his rookie WR.
Now that OTA’s (organized team activities) have started, Josh Downs is currently being held out of practice due to knee issues. Head Coach Shane Steichen said it was a minor knee issue but didn’t go any further. We should know more about the injury before training camp but until then check out these highlights:
