Grading all 12 picks by the Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft
Colts draft WR Josh Downs at No. 79: A+
Indianapolis had to select a receiver eventually and Indy ended up getting a really good one in the third round. Several teams believed Josh Downs would be off the board way earlier than he was, and the Colts were one of those teams, because they spent 30 minutes trying to trade up for him. Ultimately, he fell to them at No. 79, and has the potential to be the steal of the draft.
Downs played three seasons at the University of North Carolina, playing in 28 games and catching 202 passes for 2,483 yards and 22 touchdowns. He’s quick, fast, shifty, and also seems to catch everything. He’ll now bring a different dynamic to Indy’s wide receiver room.
Josh Downs and many TDs coming to the @Colts 🔥#NFLDraft | @UNCFootball pic.twitter.com/IYuYNQKsPj
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) April 29, 2023
At 5-foot-9, Downs is much different than Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce who are 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-3 respectively. He also has a different play style. All together, these three, along with Ashton Dulin and Isaiah McKenzie, will make up Indy’s wide receiver room.
With all of the young and promising tight ends that Indianapolis also has, Anthony Richardson will have quite a few weapons to work with as he transitions to the NFL.