'Why Josh Downs?'
Height & Weight
5'9 -- 171lbs
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Ascension grade
Primary receiver ceiling
54.98 -- WR#5
High-end traits (80th percentile & up)
Release variation & separation quickness
Transitional capabilities
In-air athleticism
Contested catch capabilities
Boundary awareness
Three level effectiveness
Field IQ
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Low-end traits (30th percentile & down)
Positional versatility
Physicality
Top-end speed
Stylistic comparison
Emmanuel Sanders meshed with Adam Thielen
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Projected role comparison
Secondary receiver with primary slot contribution (Sterling Shepard)
Downs is a receiver that always seems to survive the defender & then the ground.
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Pairs his leaping ability with precision timing to make improbable plays a continuous happening.
His tape is littered with these.
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Full extension, multiple defenders making a play on the ball.
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No regard for anything, but making a play for his Quarterback. Despite his smaller stature, he has a 'my ball' mentality.
Watch the transition here.
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Stop slot fade with an inside foot re-direct.
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Great fluidity to turn into acceleration then the ball skills to make the play in the corner.
Downs works primarily in the slot - 78% there, versus 18% out wide.
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With how well he wins given a two-way go, not sure an NFL team would deploy him elsewhere.
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Seems to help have a lot of different ways to pause defensive backs. One foot, two foot, skate stops etc.
After the catch, he has a knack for picking up yards with the same precision as he does in-route.
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Feels closures of space well and regularly makes sound open-field decisions.
As a Rookie, he's going to be hard to keep off the field because of plays like these.
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All effort & field IQ.
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High effort players with his level of talent rarely do not have success.
Expectations & Range of outcomes
Similar to Jordan Addison, likely a better WR2 than a WR1, but a good, solid option who may see a Pro-bowl nod or two in the right situation.
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With his high field IQ, I would like to see him as a punt returner as well.
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Depending on where he lands he would be a target for me in the 1.08-1.10 range in Rookie Drafts.