NFL bloodlines always pop during the pre-draft process. North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs has them with his father Gary, a third round pick of the New York Giants in 1994, and Uncle Dre Bly, a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, who was also the DB coach at UNC while Josh played for the Tar Heels.

“Somebody in my corner more than anybody else,” Downs said. “He played 12 years in the NFL, so he gave me a lot of tips on what DBs look at, what they want to see when looking at a receiver, basically just giving me tips on how to get open more to be a better receiver. Then of course, him being on the staff as family, so whenever I needed something he was there for me.”

Bly’s tips certainly paid off for his nephew. Downs was fifth in all of college football with 101 receptions in 2021, then sixth with 94 this past season. He totaled over nearly 2,400 yards receiving with 19 touchdowns over those two seasons as well, earning second team All-American honors in 2022.

Downs also was a second team All-conference punt returner.

But it’s what he can do on offense that Downs feels really transcends to the next level.

“Learned the receiver position and had a real passion for it,” he said. “I feel like when I get to the line, every rep is a 1-on-1 rep to me. If it’s zone, of course, you have to adjust, but I feel like you’ve got to beat the man in front of you, so I’m doing whatever I can to get open. Being crafty. Being quick and twitchy and being explosive in my route.”

Downs is small at 5-9 and 171 pounds with that speed clocking a 4.48 40 at the Combine. He’s likely a second round pick.

The 2023 NFL Draft takes place Thursday, April 27 – Saturday, April 29.