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Josh Downs 2023 NFL Player Outlook: Could Be Solid Contributor In Rookie Season
1 year agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (knee) was the 79th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He is perceived as the second option for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. The 21-year-old has "a little bit of a knee issue," but it isn't considered serious. Downs ran a 4.48 40-yard dash in the NFL Combine, and he could be a deep-ball threat in this Colts offense. According to The Athletic's James Boyd, Downs has become a volume target throughout training camp and the preseason. Downs played 28 games in three years during his college career with North Carolina. He had 202 receptions for 2,483 yards in those games and recorded 22 touchdowns. The North Carolina product will likely produce at a high level in the NFL if new Colts head coach Shane Steichen designs plays for him. Given how great of an arm Richardson has, it won't be a surprise if he frequently tries to connect on deep throws with the 22-year-old wide receiver. If Downs can get separation from his matchup, he would be hard to track down, considering how explosive he can be in an open field. Playing alongside Michael Pittman Jr. will also help him to a large extent. He is competing with Pittman and Alec Pierce for targets in the Colts' passing game. Fantasy managers can get the Colts' rookie receiver in the late rounds of the draft, and he could be a solid contributor as Indy's No. 2 target.
Source: Sports Reference
Source: Sports Reference
