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UNC Football: ESPN NFL Mock Draft lands Josh Downs in AFC East

By Nick Delahanty

Dec 3, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Josh Downs (11) runs past Clemson Tigers safety Andrew Mukuba (1) during the first quarter of the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Josh Downs (11) runs past Clemson Tigers safety Andrew Mukuba (1) during the first quarter of the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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In a combined ESPN NFL mock draft, two highly-touted analysts have UNC football star Josh Downs landing with a notable AFC East squad.

It’s officially NFL Draft week, as teams across the league will look to add some of the best college football players available to their respective rosters.

For the UNC football program, all eyes are on star wide receiver Josh Downs, who has the potential of being selected early on in this year’s draft. Most projections and mock drafts have him going anywhere between the second and third rounds, as his skillset and resume should be very enticing to prospective organizations.

Over the last few days, ESPN analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay teamed up to conduct a three-round mock draft. The two analysts took alternating turns making selections for all 102 picks that will be made during Days 1 and 2 of the draft.

Where do these two analysts see Downs going in this year’s draft? Drum roll, please…

With the 59th pick in the ESPN NFL Mock Draft, Mel Kiper has the Buffalo Bills selecting… Josh Downs, wide receiver from the University of North Carolina.

Here’s the reasoning as to why Kiper felt that Downs would be the right pick here for the Bills:

"This is another fit I had in my two-round mock draft. Downs could fill a role as Buffalo’s slot receiver. He is extremely quick."

Downs would be a nice fit in Buffalo, as it would provide star quarterback Josh Allen with another talented wide receiver to work with. With Stefon Diggs already in the mix, Downs could help take some attention away from him and force defenses to focus on wherever he lines up on the field.

If this scenario does play out, it would be wise for the Bills to take Downs with this pick. Three wide receivers come off the board within the following 12 picks, including one to Kansas City (one of the Bills’ biggest AFC rivals), as this could be an area in the draft where teams look to move up in order to get their guy.

The NFL Draft will take place from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. Once it gets underway, we’ll all be waiting to see where the UNC football star will begin his professional career.

Next. Jaiden Patterson commits to North Carolina. dark

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