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Home / frontnfl / 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Josh Downs
North Carolina Athletics

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Josh Downs


Big Board ranking: #55

Positional ranking: #8

 

Overview

Position: WR

College: North Carolina

Class: Junior

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 5’8 3/4”

Weight: 171 lbs.

Arm length: 30 3/8”

Hand size: 9 1/4″

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.48 sec.

10-yard split: 1.49 sec.

Vertical jump: 38.5”

Broad jump: 131.0”

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Great quickness in and out of breaks. Plus speed and burst/acceleration. Terrific hand-eye coordination and catch focus. Natural hands and able to haul in passes from various angles. Able to go to the ground for low passes. Deceptive overall route runner. Quick and smooth sinking into breaks on whip routes. Knows how to leverage defensive backs and uses creativity running routes. Has unique moves to set up defenders on double moves. Gets on the heels of opponents in cushion coverage before making a move to get deep. Extremely productive on corner routes. Quick to throttle down and will work back to the quarterback. Good ability to understand spacing and holes in coverage. Strong hands to hold on through contact. Very effective high-pointing the ball. Plays much bigger than his size on contested catches. Impressive toughness. Shows courage over the middle. Good awareness to position himself for yards after the catch. Thrived both in the slot and on the perimeter. Used on quick screens. Has run routes out of the backfield. Skillset and experience to return punts.

 

Weaknesses

Below-average overall size. Can be too contemplative running routes and might need to speed it up versus NFL defenses. Will be slowed down by jams when facing press coverage. Physicality can complete knock him off his path. More of a shadow blocker that lacks aggression and physicality. Has shown visible frustration multiple times about not getting the ball or an inaccurate pass.

 

NFL comparison

Wan’Dale Robinson

 

Conclusion

Overall, Downs is a quick, smooth pass-catcher with natural receiving skills and impressive route running. The size could make his best fit as a moveable slot with a role similar to the one Wan’Dale Robinson has in Brian Daboll’s offense.