Jahan Dotson NFL Draft Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5′-11″
Weight: 178 pounds
School: Penn State
Jahan Dotson 2022 NFL Draft Profile
Jahan Dotson finished his senior season at Penn State in 2021. He now sets his sights on the 2022 NFL Draft. He may not be the most flashy receiver, but Dotson spent four seasons honing his craft and improved each year.
Dotson was a four-star recruit coming out of high school. In fact, he played three sports in high school: Basketball, Football, and Track. He initially committed to play for UCLA but opted for Penn State, which is close to home as he is originally from Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Dotson improved year over year but saw a jump in production his junior year. In the 2020 season, played in nine games and had 52 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. His efforts that season earned him Third-Team All-Big Ten honors. Dotson really stood out in 2021. Last year he played in 12 games and hauled in 91 catches for 1182 yards and 12 touchdowns. His stellar season earned him First-Team All-Big Ten recognition in 2021.
Dotson also has experience as a punt returner. He returned 25 punts for 338 yards and one touchdown during his four years with the Nittany Lions.
Strengths
- Great ball tracking ability, can win at the top of the catch point
- Does well against zone coverage by exploiting the openings between zones.
- Creates separation through speed and elusiveness
- Punt return experience makes him versatile
- Has played in both the slot and outside, projects to be an outside receiver
- Good short-area quickness
- Has an eye for the sticks and uses hips and footwork to get up the field
Weaknesses
- Has challenges with press-man coverage
- His physicality will be a concern at the next level when facing bigger, stronger defensive backs
- Doesn’t have ideal size for the position
- Deep speed is not as impressive as his short-area quickness
- Route running can get a little sloppy when transitioning through breaks
NFL Comparison: Emmanuel Sanders
Teams With Need at Position: Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers
Projection: Mid to Late First Round
Bottom Line on Jahan Dotson
Dotson’s best traits are his athleticism and ball skills. Though he will run into some issues with his size, his natural athletic ability and shiftiness should help him. If his college days proved anything, it’s that Dotson is consistent and will develop over time. He improved in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns each season during college. When you add in the fact that Dotson is a punt returner, he becomes even more attractive as a prospect.
NFL teams need role players. While Dotson has the potential to be much more than a role player, his special teams potential could help him see the field early on. Dotson was asked about his willingness to play special teams at the 2022 NFL Combine. He said, “Any opportunity I get I’m gonna take it.” A mixture of natural athletic ability and the willingness to contribute in multiple ways will serve Dotson well in the NFL. He may get taken in the teens, but will almost undoubtedly have his name called by the end of the first round.
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