“Right now my agent is saying top 50,” Josh Downs told Raleigh’s CBS affiliate when asked where he might hear his name called during the 2023 NFL Draft. “Probably in the 25 to 45 area.”
Try 79.
Downs, the former University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill product, is coming off of back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and joins a Colts’ receiving corps that has been looking for a consistent No. 2 wideout since losing both Phillip Dorsett and Donte Moncrief after the 2017 season.
Indianapolis has transitioned from house-name T.Y. Hilton to Michael Pittman Jr. as its No. 1 receiver, and using both Downs and Pittman will be beneficial to them, as the Colts offense didn’t live up to expectations during the 2022-23 season.
Multiple analysts predicted Pittman could finish as a top-10 receiver last season, but he finished as WR 27 after Indianapolis failed to find a groove with quarterback Matt Ryan and its running backs dealt with injuries, highlighted by Jonathan Taylor, who was the league’s leading rusher two years ago.
But the Colts have a new look — from coaches, to offense, defense, and special teams.
Downs was drafted to not only be the team’s starting slot receiver, but with the late-season trade of running back Nyheim Hines, someone needs to fill the punt returner gap.
Insert Downs.
Many fantasy leagues transitioned to include special teams as part of their scoring beyond points for kickers. This can get as specific as decimal points for punt and kick return yards. A two-way player that can pick up a few extra points seems like a plus to me. I think everyone has at least one fantasy experience where he or she has lost by less than one point (insert grown).
Downs averaged just more than 11 yards as a punt returner in his career for a Tar Heels team that wasn’t really known for its return game. It’s important to point out that he averaged more than three yards per return in his junior year from his sophomore year despite fewer attempts.
Downs’ only competition in both the slot and returning punts is seven-year veteran Isaiah McKenzie who hasn’t been a starter once in his career.
McKenzie starred as the Bills’ returner in 2021, but fell off last season when he had his number of returns cut by three-fourths (24 to 6). While he tied his career-high in games started (8) he only managed four receiving scores across 15 total games played.
Out of the slot, for UNC, Downs had eight TDs in 13 games during the 2021 season and 11 scores in 11 games last season. Pittman also finished with four receiving scores.
Indianapolis will most likely start with slinger Gardner Minshew at the helm for a few games before working in wild card rookie Anthony Richardson under center. Both styles of offenses will be positives for Downs, which is oftentimes a rarity.
The experienced Minshew should rely on Downs for both designed and broken plays, while Richardson’s more mobile style of play will allow for run-pass options that will benefit Downs in the short game.
Fantasy owners will likely be afraid of the new Colts team under Shane Steichen with a looming rookie quarterback, especially after how last season went. But regardless of bench size, owners who do enough research will see the ceiling Downs brings and will take him with one of their final picks.
The Wolf is a bit low on Downs from a dynasty perspective, where he has the former Tar Heel slotted in at WR11, four spots lower than the consensus on his 2023 Dynasty Rookie Rankings.
