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 hands, 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

2023 ScoutIndex Rating · WR

Methodology
58.8

76th percentile among WRs

17 games · 98 targets

Role×0.14+0.83
Hands×0.1-1.10
Volume×0.12+1.13
Total EPA×0.22+0.83
EPA/target×0.3+0.50
Yards/target×0.12+0.05

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+
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 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+
Rec TD0.3 (0–1)23% 0.5+

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

2023 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed45▶

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

Burst82▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine WRs.

Agilityno data▶

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

Size6▶

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

Receiving

Hands90▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat5▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability88▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share83▶

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

Air-Yards Share47▶

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

Impact

Efficiency74▶

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

Volume84▶

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)

2023 splits

regular season
SplitGRecRec ydsRec TD
Home9
36
4.0/g
521
58/g
1
Away8
32
4.0/g
250
31/g
1
In division6
24
4.0/g
247
41/g
1
Out of division11
44
4.0/g
524
48/g
1
In wins9
34
3.8/g
370
41/g
0
In losses8
34
4.3/g
401
50/g
2
On grass5
19
3.8/g
142
28/g
1
On turf12
49
4.1/g
629
52/g
1
Indoors7
29
4.1/g
304
43/g
0
Outdoors10
39
3.9/g
467
47/g
2

2023 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1JAX3 rec, 30 yds, 0 TD40.6
Week 2HOU4 rec, 37 yds, 0 TD57.1
Week 3BAL8 rec, 57 yds, 0 TD38.9
Week 4LAR2 rec, 34 yds, 0 TD51.4
Week 5TEN6 rec, 97 yds, 0 TD77.8
Week 6JAX5 rec, 21 yds, 1 TD49.3
Week 7CLE5 rec, 125 yds, 1 TD99
Week 8NO7 rec, 72 yds, 0 TD67.4
Week 9CAR1 rec, 10 yds, 0 TD44.9
Week 10NE2 rec, 40 yds, 0 TD54
Week 12TB5 rec, 43 yds, 0 TD19.1
Week 13TEN3 rec, 14 yds, 0 TD33.8
Week 14CIN3 rec, 32 yds, 0 TD55.5
Week 15PIT3 rec, 19 yds, 0 TD43.2
Week 16ATL6 rec, 39 yds, 0 TD43.5
Week 17LV2 rec, 53 yds, 0 TD63
Week 18HOU3 rec, 48 yds, 0 TD60

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