The wide receiver class in the 2023 NFL Draft is regarded as a weak one. However, it might be more appropriate to say that it’s an unconventional receiver draft. Most of the top receivers in this draft class would be classified as “outliers” in pretty much any other draft class.
This class is full of undersized receivers who would likely be classified as “slot only” by many teams.
North Carolina’s Josh Downs is one of those undersized receivers who wins thanks to his route running, explosiveness, and body control. But despite his size, he was also remarkably effective in contested catch situations, hauling in 13 of 18 contested catches (per PFF), which was the most in the class.