Niners Nation on Josh Downs

ArticleFact or fiction: The 49ers need to trade for a wide receiver ahead of the deadl...
Read the full article

From the article

Let's use Colts receiver Josh Downs as an example, a player we highlighted as a trade target earlier this month. Downs runs 70% of his routes from the slot. That's where Kirk figures to line up... Downs currently has a 20.6% target share. He wouldn't sniff that number on a team that throws the ball to Evans 23.5% of the time, George Kittle 21.7% of the time, and Christian McCaffrey 21.1% of the time.
Captured by STACKED 2 hr after posting

STACKED’s take

Positive signalValue

Downs' 20.6% target share wouldn't translate to 49ers; Kirk fills his slot role.

Downs runs 70% of his routes from the slot, where Christian Kirk is expected to line up upon his return. Downs currently has a 20.6% target share with the Colts, but would not approach that volume on the 49ers given Evans (23.5%), George Kittle (21.7%), and Christian McCaffrey (21.1%) command the target distribution. The source argues Downs' recent performance—caught a few underneath throws, dropped a contested catch against Isaiah Oliver, and dropped a wide-open pass—does not suggest he is superior to Kirk or other 49ers receivers. The source calls Downs a 'rental' that does not move the needle enough to warrant trading draft picks.

Josh Downs headshotJosh DownsWR · INDPlayer page — value, ADP, projections, and every insight

More on Josh Downs and from Niners Nation