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The Indianapolis Colts went back to the offensive side of the ball with the No. 79 overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Speedy wideout from North Carolina, Josh Downs, will be the newest weapon added for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and a new-look Colts offense under first-year head coach Shane Steichen.
A player that wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne said he “needed” at the position and was “the best in this draft” during the combine, will give Indy another way to stretch with the field with his 4.48 speed able to blow the top off of defenses. Downs also wins with route running and elite athleticism.
Slot threats like Downs are exactly what this offense needs to rebound from a disappointing 2022 season.
Downs will likely come into a young room of pass catchers and battle early in training camp with veteran Isaiah McKenzie for the starting slot role. It could be likely we see special teams as another avenue for Downs to make an impact early on in his career as a Colt.
Should Downs win early work out of the slot, this is a player who can be an explosive home-run threat that the offense has lacked out of the slot since the departure of T.Y. Hilton.
With eight more picks on Day 3 in this year’s draft after multiple trades, expect more exciting additions on the way to Indianapolis.