WR Josh Downs, North Carolina
I have to be honest, I do not see a ton of the hype surrounding Downs as a future Chief. I like the player a lot, but the top three receivers under contract for the Chiefs next year -- WR Kadarious Toney, WR Marquez Valdez-Scantling, and WR Skyy Moore -- are all versions of what Downs offers. Only all three are bigger and faster, and all three offer bigger catch radiuses. And you can make that four if the team brings back Mecole Hardman.
That said, Downs is a ferocious competitor that I love watching. You look at a smaller receiver like him and think he is speed and finesse, but he has some of that Steve Smith in him. He is an angry receiver who fights for the ball and doesn't mess around with corners who put their hands on him. He's going to Moss people occasionally, and it's almost like watching Spud Webb win a dunk contest.
But he's going to take a year to redshirt and get himself into NFL strength and conditioning -- he is not remotely made for the NFL like Skyy was. He's also an X receiver trapped in a Z receiver's body, but he lacks the speed. I'll be interested to see what he does at the Combine. Right now I don't see the Chiefs moving on him at all. If they do, it's gotta be because he fell to the third day and the value is absurd.
|