ScoutIndex

IND IND

Josh Downs

WR

Drafted 79th overall in the 3rd round of the 2023 draft, Josh Downs arrived from North Carolina. Now with IND, he's in his 4th NFL season. His 48.3 ScoutIndex Rating last season ranked in the 56th percentile among WRs — solidly above average. Few match his volume, which grades in the 90th percentile. Across 4 NFL seasons, he has totaled 222 catches for 2,429 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Size

5'9", 171#

College

North Carolina

Draft

Rd 3, 79th overall (2023)

Seasons

2023–2026

2026 ScoutIndex Rating · WR

Methodology
59.1

79th percentile among WRs

6 games · 42 targets

Role×0.14+1.11
Hands×0.1-0.30
Volume×0.12+1.54
Total EPA×0.22+0.88
EPA/target×0.3+0.26
Yards/target×0.12-0.89

Week 1 projection · vs BAL

Methodology
Rec4.1 (2–7)39% 4.5+
Rec4.1 (2–7)39% 4.5+
Rec4.1 (2–7)39% 4.5+
Rec4.1 (2–7)39% 4.5+
Rec4.1 (2–7)39% 4.5+
Rec4.1 (2–7)39% 4.5+
Rec yds43.4 (10–76.7)47% 45.5+
Rec yds43.4 (10–76.7)47% 45.5+
Rec yds43.4 (10–76.7)47% 45.5+
Rec yds43.4 (10–76.7)47% 45.5+
Rec yds43.4 (10–76.7)47% 45.5+
Rec yds43.4 (10–76.7)47% 45.5+
Rec TD0.3 (0–1)23% 0.5+
Rec TD0.3 (0–1)23% 0.5+
Rec TD0.3 (0–1)23% 0.5+
Rec TD0.3 (0–1)23% 0.5+
Rec TD0.3 (0–1)23% 0.5+
Rec TD0.3 (0–1)23% 0.5+

Mean (10th–90th percentile) · recent form × matchup. Informational, not wagering advice.

2026 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed33▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among WRs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burst84▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine WRs.

Agilityno data▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine WRs (faster = higher).

Size7▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the WR cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Receiving

Hands20▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat33▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability33▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share84▶

Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.

Air-Yards Share85▶

Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.

Impact

Efficiency71▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.

Volume90▶

Total targets this season.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026IND59.16724289
2025IND48.316-2585664
2024IND60.21412728035
2023IND58.817687712

Career profile

Across 4 NFL seasons on file, Josh Downs has played in 53 regular-season games, all with IND.

He has rushed for 17 yards and 0 touchdowns. As a receiver he has caught 222 passes for 2,429 yards and 11 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 2024 with IND: 803 yards and 5 touchdowns in 14 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2024: a 60.2, in the 80th percentile among WRs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2026 splits

regular season
SplitGRecRec ydsRec TD
Home3
11
3.7/g
154
51/g
0
Away3
13
4.3/g
135
45/g
0
In division2
9
4.5/g
117
59/g
0
Out of division4
15
3.8/g
172
43/g
0
In wins2
8
4.0/g
93
47/g
0
In losses4
16
4.0/g
196
49/g
0
On grass2
10
5.0/g
88
44/g
0
On turf4
14
3.5/g
201
50/g
0
Indoors1
2
2.0/g
37
37/g
0
Outdoors5
22
4.4/g
252
50/g
0

2026 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1BAL2 rec, 37 yds, 0 TD58.6
Week 2KC7 rec, 72 yds, 0 TD79
Week 3HOU5 rec, 77 yds, 0 TD55.8
Week 4WAS3 rec, 16 yds, 0 TD43.6
Week 5PIT3 rec, 47 yds, 0 TD38.6
Week 6TEN7 rush yds, 0 TD · 4 rec, 40 yds, 0 TD51.2

Josh Downs — common questions

What position does Josh Downs play?
Josh Downs is listed as a WR.
Which teams has Josh Downs played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Josh Downs has played for IND (2023–2026).
Where did Josh Downs go to college?
Josh Downs played college football at North Carolina.
When was Josh Downs drafted?
Josh Downs was selected in round 3, 79th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Josh Downs scored?
Josh Downs has 11 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (11 receiving).
What is Josh Downs's ScoutIndex Rating?
Josh Downs rated 59.1 for 2026, the 79th percentile among WRs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 3, 2023

Also from North Carolina