Yahoo Sports NFL on Josh Downs
From the article
If the Steelers insist on trading for a receiver, Downs is my preferred one. Not only is Downs still a young player, but he also has a skill set that the Steelers' receiver corps largely lacks: the ability to consistently beat man coverage.
STACKED’s take
Downs' man-coverage ability (2.25 yards/route) makes him the preferred WR trade target for Pittsburgh.
The source identifies Downs as the preferred trade target if the Steelers pursue a receiver, citing his young age and skill set that the Steelers' receiver corps lacks: the ability to consistently beat man coverage. Downs averages 2.25 yards per route run against man coverage (12th among players with 40+ man-coverage snaps), addressing Pittsburgh's offensive weakness against man coverage (-0.194 EPA/dropback, 29th; 34.7% success rate, 30th). At 5'9" and 171 pounds, he's a less rigid mover than Roman Wilson and can get open quickly underneath, which aligns with Aaron Rodgers' targeting preferences. Downs is on an expiring rookie contract, complicating retention beyond 2026.
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