Josh Downs is on the move again, and this time the former North Carolina wideout is headed to Kansas City.
At the NFL trade deadline, the Indianapolis Colts sent Downs and a seventh-round pick to the Chiefs in exchange for a fourth- and fifth-round pick. For UNC, it’s another reminder of just how productive Downs was in Chapel Hill before becoming a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Downs spent three seasons with the Tar Heels and made his mark early. As a freshman, he played in 10 games and finished with seven catches for 119 yards and three touchdowns.
His role expanded in 2021, when he exploded for 101 receptions, 1,335 yards and eight touchdowns. He stayed just as dangerous in his junior year, piling up 94 catches for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Across those seasons, he became a dependable piece of North Carolina’s offense in 2021 and 2022.
The 25-year-old has been productive in the NFL, too, even if his pro numbers haven’t matched his college peak. In his rookie season with Indianapolis, Downs posted 68 receptions for 771 yards and two touchdowns. In 2024, he followed that with 72 catches for 803 yards and five touchdowns.
Now he lands in a Kansas City offense led by Patrick Mahomes, one of the league’s top passers. The Chiefs haven’t had the best array of weapons outside of star running back Kenneth Walker, which gives Downs a chance to step into a major role. He should be one of the primary targets for Mahomes as Kansas City pushes toward a Super Bowl run.
North Carolina hasn’t produced many receivers who’ve gone on to the NFL in recent years, but Downs stands out as one of the program’s best former players. The Tar Heels are also in the middle of a strong season, sitting at 5-4 in Bill Belichick’s second year as head coach. If that progress continues, North Carolina could keep sending more talent to the next level.
For now, Belichick and the Tar Heels will try to finish strong, while Downs gets a new opportunity with a contender.
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