Chiefs Draft: North Carolina WR Josh Downs
If the Chiefs decide to change things up, it’s not a bad plan.
I think we all know what the Chiefs are going to address the most when it comes to this offseason, especially when it comes to the draft. They need edge rushers, and a defensive line in general, to be honest, but mainly edge rushers.
This draft is loaded with defensive line talent and secondary players. The things that are more scarce are skill position players and offensive line. The Chiefs need everything I just listed besides secondary, which they definitely addressed last season.
Most everyone expects this team to go after an edge rusher in the first round because of the fact that they are losing Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap, but let's say they didn't.
If they decided to go a different direction, like maybe a receiver, they should still be fine, especially if one receiver, in particular, is available. North Carolina's Josh Downs would be great at catching passes from Patrick Mahomes.
Here is what Pro Football Focus thinks about Downs:
You don’t want to see Downs’ feet pattering as he approaches you off the line. He’s one of the best in the class at not telegraphing his breaks before striding away from defenders. Downs is one of the best underneath separators in the class, and he played 89.0% of his snaps from the slot over his career. I don’t see why that should change in the NFL. Slot receivers are getting bigger around the NFL because of the run-blocking prowess required. Downs’ lack of size really shows up when defenders are able to get their hands on him.
Downs' freshman season started off slowly, with just 59 offensive snaps in the regular season at North Carolina. He announced his arrival in the bowl game though, turning 15 offensive snaps into a four-catch, 91-yard, and two-touchdown performance against Texas A&M. He would be the focal point of the Tar Heels offense after that, posting 195 receptions over his final two seasons in college. While he saw plenty of targets in college, he is far more experienced in the slot as opposed to out wide, as just 136 of his 756 offensive snaps in 2022 came on the outside.
There is a report out there that the Kansas City Chiefs will try and keep the same wide receiver core together for the 2023 season. If they do, Downs would not be a terrible pick for the future. Even if they don't, Downs could be a guy that has a huge role in this offense right away.
The Chiefs love guys that are fast, have good footwork, and can run routes. He would fit in the system anywhere, and the Chiefs would have their core group of receivers for the future in Toney, Moore, and then Downs.
You can read the rest of the PFF report on Downs here.
