Wide Receiver – North Carolina
5’9” 171 lbs
3rd Round – 16th Pick (79th Overall) – Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs’ 2023 fantasy football outlook is on the right path. Meanwhile, new QB1 Anthony Richardson gets a brand new slot receiver to join him in Indianapolis with Downs from North Carolina. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed. Quick, shifty, and elusive. Additionally, Downs is one of the best in this draft class at pulling down contested catches.
Downs finished his 2022 season at North Carolina with 94 receptions for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns. Furthermore, Colts wide receiver coach Reggie Wayne was on record saying he thought Downs was the best wide receiver in this year’s class. Now, he gets to coach him.
Fantasy Football Outlook
Downs will compete with Isaiah McKenzie and should have every opportunity to be the starting slot receiver for the Colts. With Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman on the outside, Downs will slide right into the slot role. Additionally, he can play underneath and he can also use his speed to come over the top. Both Pittman and Pierce are bigger-bodied receivers. Downs is a nice change of smaller stature and adds speed that the Colts desperately need.
For fantasy football purposes, Downs should have the opportunity for plenty of receptions and be able to get yards after the catch. The possibility of big plays is there with Richardson’s big play ability matching Downs’ speed. He will be a late flyer in regular leagues and in best-ball drafts. Furthermore, he has WR3 upside starting out, and could see him becoming a WR2 down the road.
Dynasty Outlook
Downs is currently going around WR5 – WR8 in dynasty rookie drafts and should be able to contribute right away for managers. He should come off the board in the late second round or early third in 1QB formats. Due to him strictly being a slot receiver because of his size, his upside is lacking but he should be a consistent slot receiver for years to come.
I don’t think he can become a WR1 with the competition in Indianapolis but has every opportunity to be a consistent WR3 with WR2 upside. Overall, Downs lands in a solid spot with plenty of upside for fantasy football purposes, assuming Richardson works out.
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