A slot receiver could be on the Buffalo Bills’ radar at the 2023 NFL draft.
During the combine in Indianapolis, North Carolina receiver Josh Downs told reporters, including the Buffalo News, that he met with the Bills at the combine.
A junior, Downs put together back-to-back huge seasons for the Tar Heels. He surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each and had 19 totals touchdowns in that time span.
Due to his size and playing style, Downs is viewed as a player that would primarily play in the slot in the NFL. However, the 5-foot-10 wideout has potential to be a standout in that role.
Pro Football Focus ranks Downs as the 2023 draft’s fifth-best receiver and has him No. 37 overall on their draft big board.
And if that isn’t enough to convince you of Downs being a slot receiver, check out PFF’s player comparison. In the outlet’s draft profile on Downs, he’s compared to Cole Beasley.
Beasley is a reasoning why Buffalo might have interest in Downs as well.
At last year’s draft, the Bills traded up for Khalil Shakir in the fifth round. Like Downs, Shakir projects as a slot receiver in the NFL.
However, Buffalo’s coaching staff didn’t exactly trust Shakir much. He was stuck down in the pecking order for most of his rookie year and eventually Beasley was re-signed by the team.
But if the Bills do want to add again to the slot, Downs might be the way the team goes. Beasley is a free agent and while he expressed a desire to return for one more season, the team might opt to go a younger route.
See the Buffalo News clip below for Downs breaking down his own game:
https://twitter.com/gggaughan/status/1631690647261282325
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