Athletic Profile
Height: 5086
Weight: 171
Arm Length: 30 3/8”
40 Time: 4.48
Vertical: 38 1/2”
Broad Jump: 1011
3-Cone: 6.75*
Shuttle: 4.15*
Relative Athletic Score: 8.99
* Indicates Recorded At Pro Day
Statistics
2022: 94 REC - 1,029 YRDS - 11 TD - 10.9 Y/REC - 4.0 YAC/REC - 2.17 Y/RR - 8.8 ADOT - 3.1 DRP% - 72.2 CTC%
2021: 101 REC - 1,335 - 8 TD - 13.2 Y/REC - 7.5 YAC/REC - 2.80 Y/RR - 8.5 ADOT - 9.0 DRP% -30.8 CTC%
Pros
Elusiveness
Separation Quickness
Ball Skills
Dependable Hands
Return Ability
Cons
Size
Issues w/ Physicality
Slot Only
Tendency to Over Created
Summary
Josh Downs, the former 4-Star recruit from the state of Georgia, was a three year contributor and two year starter for North Carolina. He put up back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in 2021 and 2022, qualifying as a Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist both times.
Downs is one of the most electric playmakers in this year's class. The diminutive receiver’s punt returner experience shines through when he has the ball in his hands. Impressive stop start ability makes him extremely elusive with the ball in his hands. North Carolina liked to use Downs in creative ways, such as motioning him into the backfield and hiding him in bunch sets, to get him the ball out in space. As a route runner Downs change of direction ability and separation quickness shine through. He is able to sink his hips and explode out of breaks extremely quickly. He does an excellent job of manipulating defenders' leverage by varying the tempos and angles of his stems. He also displays a fundamental understanding of zone defenses, doing a fantastic job of making himself available to his signal caller versus zone. A large majority of Downs route shares come in the short area (Career ADOT of 8.8) where his YAC ability can shine but he is no slouch down the field. His acceleration ability and long speed make him a big play waiting to happen. Despite his diminutive size Downs is an excellent contested catch player (72.2 CTC% in 2022) due to his leaping ability and body control. His exceptional ball skills are on display at all areas of the field in the form of contorting his body to adjust to poor throws as well as his low drop rate (3.1% in 2022).
The biggest concern with Downs is his lack of size. Players that are 5’ 9”, sub 180 pounds do not have a track record of being All-Pro caliber players. Downs struggles to consistently break tackles in the open field, often going down far too easily at first contact. He struggles to get off press coverage in the minimal reps he showed on his college tape. Physical defensive backs are easily able to reroute him and disrupt route timing. As a result Downs projects to be a strong WR2 that is a primary slot at the next level. His best fits will be with teams that have an established WR1 on the outside. Downs will add a layer of creation and big play ability to whatever offense he joins, while also providing tremendous special teams value.
Grade: 6.33 - Mid to Late Second Round Grade (Potential Starter)
Games Watched: Pittsburgh (2021), Miami (2021), Notre Dame (2022), Virginia (2022), Florida A&M (2022)