The Indianapolis Colts went into the 2023 NFL Draft with a few different needs on their roster. They addressed the biggest one with their first-round pick, selecting Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson fourth overall. After that, it was time to find some weapons to put around him.
The Colts have a solid supporting cast with running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. However, Indianapolis was lacking a slot receiver after Parris Campbell departed in free agency, signing with the New York Giants.
On Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Colts filled the void left by Campbell’s departure. With the No. 79 overall pick, Indianapolis selected North Carolina wide receiver, Josh Downs. There are some people who have cast doubt over Downs having an impact at the next level given his lack of size, as he stands 5’8” and weighs 171 pounds.
However, he is eager to prove every single one of his doubters wrong. He wasted no time getting to work as he was back on the practice field Sunday and was catching passes from Richardson in a parking lot the Thursday after he was drafted.
The work ethic that Downs brings is infectious as other guys will work hard once they see him doing the same at the facility. What can we expect to see from the Tar Heel product at the next level? He knows he is most effective working out of the slot and over the middle of the field.
“Working over the middle is where I thrive at,” Downs said. “I love working over the middle. Lot of people don’t like it, and you’re gonna take some hits there, but I feel like that’s where the money’s at.”
Downs did most of his damage from the slot collegiately and was excellent. In the last two seasons, he caught 195 passes for 2,364 yards and 19 touchdowns, as he will bring a dynamic element to the Colts offense.
With Shane Steichen taking over as head coach, there is a lot of excitement about how the Colts’ offense could look after the work he did with the Philadelphia Eagles. Downs will be a key part of that game plan with the impact he can have working over the middle with Pittman and Pierce on the perimeter.
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