Josh Downs

UNC WR

Games Watched: Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Clemson

Summary: Josh Downs is incredibly quick. He often takes short steps before making a sudden cut, creating separation. He is dangerous in open space, and does a great job finding his way through traffic. He uses his hands and body fakes well to create separation. He is, however, undersized. He struggles with physicality, bigger corners when he’s playing outside, and making catches far outside his frame.

Pros

  • Takes quick short steps that allow him to change direction incredibly fast
  • Lulls defenders by starting slow and then accelerates quickly
  • Uses his hands well to create separation from defenders
  • Does a good job of running through traffic
  • Often the first one to react to the snap
  • Is a threat one on one in the open field

Cons

  • Small size
  • Catch radius is not very big
  • Boxed out by bigger corners against inside leverage when he’s playing outside the numbers
  • Stifled by physicality
  • Makes wide turns after the catch giving defenders time to close him down

Grade: Josh Downs gets an early second round grade. He’s incredibly quick and does a lot of things well but you can’t overlook the size issue that caps his ceiling as a player.