The next prospect and potential Tennessee Titans draft target in our scouting report series is the tiny but mighty wide receiver out of North Carolina, Josh Downs.
The former Tar Heel recently told reporters that his agent told him that he can most likely expect to be selected somewhere between picks Nos. 25 and 50 when draft weekend rolls around.
If that is the case, Downs may garner strong consideration to be the Titans’ pick in Round 2 as long as they don’t take a wide receiver in Round 1.
In fact, Tennessee already met with Downs prior to his pro day, and there’s a good chance he will probably be one of their top-30 visits in the coming weeks.
Josh Downs said his agent has told him to expect to be selected anywhere in the range of picks 25 thru 45.
He’s met with 15-20 teams, including the #Patriots, #Titans, and #Saints last night in Chapel Hill.
Also says he’ll meet with the #Cowboys later. pic.twitter.com/ujol1j6tbL
— Travon Miles (@TrayABC11) March 27, 2023
This scouting report is going to provide you with an educated opinion on Downs’ potential as a pro prospect, while also discussing his potential fit with the Titans.
Before we get started, a quick reminder that all of the grades and individual rankings that are included are my own opinions after spending the last few months studying each of these individuals.
Without further ado, let’s get right into discussing one of my personal favorites in the entire draft.
Measurables
- Height: 5’9’’
- Weight: 171 pounds
- Hand Size: 9 ¼ ’’
- Arm length: 30 3/8”
- 40-time: 4.48
- Relative Athletic Score: 8.23
Josh Downs is a WR prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 8.23 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 511 out of 2875 WR from 1987 to 2023. #Correctionhttps://t.co/vhiSDBmxlS #RAS pic.twitter.com/oM2Q2wGvIA
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 24, 2023
College Accolades
- Second-Team All-American (2022)
- 2X First-Team All-ACC (2021-2022)
- 195 catches, 2364 Receiving Yards and 19 TDs since 2021
2022 Stats
- Receptions: 94
- Receiving Yards: 1,029
- Yards per Reception: 10.9
- Yards per Route run: 2.17
- Drop Rate: 3.1 percent
- Deep Catches: 11 (274 yards)
- Screen Catches: 12 (72 yards)
Grades, Projection, and Rankings
- Overall grade: 79.4 (2nd round)
- Ceiling projection: Late 1st
- Floor projection: Late 2nd
- Position rank: WR4
- Consensus rank: WR6
Reasons to Buy In
- Savvy, confident, and sudden route-runner on all three levels who is extremely difficult to figure out in live action.
- Has a lethal ability to stop and start whenever he pleases.
- Dynamic athlete in space who is always looking to manipulate defenders to create extra separation for himself.
- Possesses a genuine understanding of knowing how to attack leverages, using his unique blend of rapid acceleration, quick feet, and fluid hips to put defenders in disadvantageous positions
- A true savant when it comes to changing tempos throughout his route stem to keep defenders guessing. Crosses the faces of defensive backs with ease and forces them to trail.
- Plays much bigger than his size and attacks the football better than most the wide receivers in this class. Owned a contested catch rate of 72.2 percent in 2022 (13/18).
- Knows how to identify and attack the soft spots in zone coverages.
Areas of concern
- Size concerns could become amplified at the next level when he plays against physically superior and aggressive defensive backs.
- Won’t ever be a featured blocker in your offense and looks uninterested at times.
- Occasionally struggles with the consistency of his route-running, gets lazy at times when he knows he probably isn’t getting the ball.
- Will need to find ways to beat press off the line of scrimmage against longer and stronger defenders.
- Strictly a slot wide receiver and won’t provide much positional versatility to an offense.
- Limited catch radius will force quarterbacks to be accurate when targeting him in tight coverage.
- Would ideally prefer faster top-end speed from someone of his stature.
Fit with the Titans
If you follow me on Twitter or have seen any of my mock drafts, chances are you’ve probably noticed I have a genuine infatuation with Downs.
I know I’ve said this before, but I’m a massive Josh Downs fan.
His game is so damn smooth, sudden, & cerebralMy dream scenario is the #Titans walking away with either Paris Johnson Jr. or Peter Skoronski in Round 1 and Josh Downs in Round 2.#CarolinaFootball 🐏 pic.twitter.com/RJF6myn5yY
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) March 24, 2023
The former Tar Heel may not have the ideal build you would want in your wideout (5-foot-9, 171 pounds), especially in a run-heavy offense like the Titans’, but their receivers room lacks genuine talent right now and Downs has that in bunches.
Also, don’t let the size scare you. Downs is a true playmaker that consistently finds a variety of ways to produce for his quarterback despite his smaller build.
In fact, the former Tar Heel plays much bigger than his size would indicate. He’s not going to be a primary blocker, but he objectively plays the ball better than a lot of the bigger receivers in this class do.
Last season alone, Downs produced an elite contested catch rate of 72.2 percent (13-of-18).
His presence on the inside would be a fantastic complement to a true alpha on the boundary such as Treylon Burks. More importantly, he would instantly give the Titans two talented wide receivers atop the depth chart.
Downs’ overall ceiling may be somewhat limited considering he’s strictly a slot, but it’s hard to envision someone as dynamic, crafty, and manipulative as he is not having a relatively safe floor.
And that’s especially true if he’s used in a way that allows him to get free releases and/or take advantage of mismatches (motions, different alignments, etc.).
The North Carolina product also happens to be surgical in the short and intermediate areas.
He can be very savvy and sudden with the way he constantly changes his speeds to trick defenders into thinking he’s doing one thing, but he’s really just setting them up to attack their leverage.
Downs constantly forces defenders to think on their feet. He does a good job of making all of his routes look the same and he has a unique ability to stop and go whenever he pleases.
The North Carolina product would instantly give one of the worst third-down offenses a much-needed chain mover, something the Titans desperately need after leading the league in three-and-outs just a year ago.
I know some people are going to push back and say the team already has a player similar to Downs in Kyle Philips, but passing on clear upgrades at positions of need just because they saw someone do well in training camp is how your offense stays mediocre.
Josh Downs MOVING on the three-cone drill. 💨
Heard from one scout:
“The fastest I’ve seen.” pic.twitter.com/bK64NG24jv
— Travon Miles (@TrayABC11) March 27, 2023
Even more so when it’s someone who was a fifth-round draft pick that hasn’t done a single notable thing since September of last year. Philips would be the perfect player to occasionally relieve Downs when he’s either tired or injured.
I can’t speak for everyone, but if the Titans choose to wait until Round 2 for a wide receiver, this is probably my main and most realistic preference. I will take a group of pass-catchers that includes Chig Okonkwo, Burks, and Downs any day of the week.
Check out more of Shaun Calderon's scouting reports
