Patriots NFL Draft 'Secret' Or 'Rumor': Trade Up for WR Josh Downs?
FOXBORO — Have the typically-covert New England Patriots inadvertently revealed a bit too much when it comes to their day two plans for the 2023 NFL Draft?
Follwoing their selection of Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez with pick No. 17, the Pats provided a behind-the-scenes look inside their draft ‘war room,’ in which team owner Rober Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and other members of the Pats front office could be observed navigating the process of making their first-round choice.
However, the brief video is also getting its share of attention because of the visible image adorning one of the laptops on which Belichick appears to be working.
As outlined above, the images displayed is none other than the home field at the University of North Carolina — maybe not coincidentally the collegiate home of highly-touted wide receiver Josh Downs.
Could Belichick and the Patriots be scouting Downs as a potential Day 2 selection? Or, might it just be a case of coincidental reconnaissance?
Because Belichick is known for his extensive approach to scouting during draft season, the latter is clearly a possibility. However, the former should not be discounted. Earlier on Friday, NFL Insider Mike Giardi revealed that the Patriots have, in fact, been working the lines of communication to gauge the possibility of moving up on Friday night.
While fans and analysts have almost-universally praised the Pats selection of Gonzalez, they have yet to address their need for a pass-catching target for quarterback Mac Jones. Using first-round capital to bolster their defensive backfield meant their having to pass on popular receiving targets such as Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Nijgba and Boston College’s Zay Flowers — who were selected by the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens, respectively.
Instead, the Pats may look to the second-round to procure their potential rookie wideout. At 5-10, 171 pounds, Downs has been touted as one of this year's top prospects at the position. In his final season with the Tar Heels, he caught 94 passes for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also averaged 10.9 yards per catch. His athleticism allows him to be effective out of the slot, where he is likely to become a play-calling favorite of Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. Downs is also quite adept at making contested catches, playing with a tenacious style which will make him a notable threat at the pro level.
Herein lies the rub: the Patriots would likely need to trade up to get him.
With their next selection set for pick no. 46, one would be inclined to think that the Pats are looking to move into the mid (or possibly early) 30s to draft Downs, who is not expected to last beyond the Los Angeles Rams selection at 36. With four picks in the fourth-round (107, 117, 120, 135), as well as four sixth-round selections (184, 187, 192, 210), New England may have some extra capital to pair with their pick at 46 to entice the earlier entries on day two.
Whether the Pats are attempting to trade up for Downs, or another potential prospect, it appears to be a safe bet that they will be active along the trade wire at the start of the second round.
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