It’s officially draft week.
On Thursday, the three-day 2023 NFL draft will take place in Kansas City as the league welcomes the newest stars to the league. Those three days will be filled with hope, optimism and potentially some big trades.
Among the players that will hear their names called is former UNC football wide receiver Josh Downs. As it stands now, Downs is projected to go on Day 2, likely in the second round as he’s ranked anywhere from WR4-WR7 according to the experts.
But while that’s the case, Downs is among the players considered the ‘safest’ to draft after the first round per Pro Football Focus:
Downs is one of my favorite players in this class. He’s smaller in stature at 5-foot-9 and 171 pounds, but he plays bigger than his numbers suggest. For example, Downs brought in 13-of-18 contested catches this past season for a 72.2% catch rate, one of the highest in the class, especially given his 24.5% wide receiver usage rate.
He’s a smooth route runner from the slot who brings that added element of strength to his game for tough catches over the middle. It’s not the most star-studded receiver class, but Downs feels like a safe bet to make it.
Downs is projected to be a slot receiver at the next level and has already been praised for his route-running ability.
Getting into the right system would be big for the receiver and he’s got a lot to prove in the NFL.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitterer and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Story originally appeared on Tarheels Wire