Jahan Dotson Scouting Report: NFL Draft Profile

 

Wide Receiver, Penn State, # 5

 

Measurements

5′ 11″ / 184 lbs

40 Time: 4.33 Seconds

 

Jahan Dotson Draft Player Profile

Dotson was a three-time letterman coming out of Nazareth Area High School in Pennsylvania. Jahan was named his team’s MVP as a freshman. After his senior season, Dotson was named to the First Team All-USA Pennsylvania Football Team by USA Today. During Jahan’s time at Nazareth Area, he set school records with 187 receptions, 2,755 receiving yards, and 40 touchdowns. This included 62 catches for 889 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior. Dotson was then tabbed as a four-star prospect by ESPN and Rivals.

Jahan saw limited time during his true freshman season at Penn St., playing in eight games, four of those being starts. That season Dotson made 13 catches for 203 yards. Interestingly enough, his first five catches (and 10 of his 13) went for first downs. During his sophomore season, Jahan would play and start in all 13 games. Dotson would have 27 receptions for 488 yards and five touchdowns, helping Penn St. to an 11-2 record. Jahan’s 18.07 yards per catch would rank #5 in the Big Ten and #34 in the nation.

As a junior, Dotson would add 52 receptions for 844 yards and eight touchdowns to his totals while playing and starting all nine of Penn St.’s games. Jahan flashed his speed, catching at least one 20+ yard pass in eight of the nine games. Dotson would also help on special teams, returning eight punts for 197 yards (24.6 yards per return) and a touchdown. After the season, Jahan was named to the All Big Ten 2^nd team by Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus.

At the time of this writing, Penn St. is off to a 5-0 start. Dotson continues to be a big part of Penn St.’s offensive attack as well. Jahan is the team’s leading receiver with 35 catches, 446 yards, and six touchdowns. Dotson also continues to chip in on special teams with nine returns for 71 yards through the first five games.

 

Jahan Dotson Strengths

 

Combine Monster

 

I really hope that the NFL gets back to having the pre-draft combine in Indianapolis so it can be televised. If that happens, I can’t wait for Jahan Dotson to put on a show. Dotson flashes his speed every game. Watching him run, it’s easy to see how he won both an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and State Championship in the 4×100 meter relay. But speed isn’t the only tool in Jahan’s bag. He also showed great hops, reaching balls that you wouldn’t think someone under six foot would be able to get to. This is also a great time to point out that Dotson won the 2016 Pennsylvania State Championship in the long jump as well. If the combine does come back this season, my eyes will be glued to Jahan. Get your popcorn ready.

 

Change of Direction

As fast of Dotson is, I fully expected him to rely on his speed to get away from defenders. However Jahan shows great balance and body control and makes some pretty impressive cuts, leaving defenders grasping at air. What makes it even more impressive is that he’s able to pull these cuts of while still running close to top speed. Even at the NFL level, where everyone is a great athlete, Dotson is going to be a handful to bring down.

 

Beating The Press

Something that I always tend to worry about with smaller receivers is their ability to beat press coverage. Once again, Dotson proved that I had no reason to be worried. Between his overall speed and his outstanding footspeed, he had no trouble beating the press coverage time and time again. I don’t think he’ll see a ton of press coverage in the NFL, as I think teams will put him in motion on most plays. However, it’s nice to see him to demonstrate that he can beat the press if needed.

 

Helps Out in Other Phases

It’s pretty clear that Jahan is going to be a big part of his future NFL team’s passing attack, but he’ll be able to help out in other phases too. Above, I mentioned that the past two seasons Dotson has been returning punts, with him returning even more this season. But I was extremely happy to see that he is a willing blocker in Penn St.’s rushing attack. I feel like this is an often overlooked aspect of a wide receiver’s game. While Jahan isn’t going to be getting any pancake awards, the effort is there and that’s points in my book.

 

Jahan Dotson Weaknesses

 

Route Running

I talked about Dotson’s cutting ability under his strengths, so I was disappointed to see that his route running wasn’t sharper. Also every route that I was able to see, he would round the route out rather than planting the foot and being sharp/crisp. This is something he should easily be able to do since his change direction is very impressive. If Jahan can improve this portion of his game, he’ll be even tougher for defenses to handle.

 

Draft Stock and Final Thoughts on Jahan Dotson

 

Dotson has athletic ability that will have NFL scouts drooling. On top of that, I can see Jahan lining up anywhere in a formation; outside, slot, used with jet sweep action, or even lined up in the backfield. While he might be on the shorter side, his jumping ability will allow him to out jump defensive backs… even if he’s at a height disadvantage. If teams get him matched up against a linebacker, there’s no way the defender is keeping up with Dotson. I see teams using him much like Kansas City uses Tyreek Hill. I don’t think he’ll top early front running wide receivers like Chris Olave or Garrett Wilson, but he has all the talent to be a first-rounder. In my opinion Jahan will be a mid-to-late first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Jahan Dotson NFL Comparison: I see a lot of Terry McLaurin in him.

Jahan Dotson Scouting Report by Brandon Claburn