Pros and cons of Colts taking North Carolina football’s Josh Downs in 2023 NFL Draft
North Carolina football’s Josh Downs was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Friday.
Downs was drafted No. 79th overall. The wide receiver finished his UNC career with 2,483 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns with 202 receptions. All three marks are top-five totals in program history. He’s one of two Tar Heels to log a pair of 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
In his junior season, Downs led the ACC in receptions (94), receiving yards (1,029), receptions per game (8.5) and receiving yards per game (93.5).
The Tar Heels had two wide receivers selected in the 2021 draft. Here’s what Downs brings to the NFL.
The positives
The production of Downs spoke for itself in his final two seasons with the Tar Heels. In addition to his ability to rack up receptions, the shifty wideout had 11 touchdowns in 11 starts as a junior.
Downs had double-digit receptions in four games, including three in a row during the most impressive stretch of the 2022 season. He followed a season-high 15 receptions against Virginia with 11 receptions for 154 yards and three touchdowns at Wake Forest.
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Downs was also a second-team All-ACC pick as an all-purpose player because of his ability as a punt returner.
The concerns
As a 5-foot-9, 171-pound receiver, the physicality of NFL defensive backs could provide problems for Downs because of his size. He missed two games in 2022 because of lower-body injuries.
Drops were an issue at times in his final season with the Tar Heels, particularly in a loss to Georgia Tech in which he dropped what would have been the go-ahead touchdown. He also doesn’t figure to provide much when it comes to run blocking.
Final thoughts
As Downs put it on UNC’s Pro Day in late March, he might be short but he’s not small. His footwork, along with his ability to find space and haul in catches, makes him a solid choice as an NFL slot receiver and possible returner.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Indianapolis Colts pick UNC’s Josh Downs in 2023 NFL Draft
