2022 NFL Draft Profile: Penn State WR Jahan Dotson

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Player Profile

Name: Jahan Dotson

School: Penn State Nittany Lions

Recruiting Profile: Click Here

Position: WR

Height: 5-11

Weight: 185

Year: Senior

Jersey Number: 5

Offensive Scheme: Air Raid, Spread, Vertical, Crossers

Offensive Coordinator: Mike Yurcich

Games Reviewed: 2020 Ohio State, 2020 Michigan, 2021 Michigan, 2021 Ohio State, 2021 Michigan State, 2021 Maryland, 2021 Wisconsin

Position Specific Critical Factors

Hands (8) Very Good

The best WR's in football display great hands; they can snatch or pluck the football when in tight coverage or the wide-open field. Some receivers use their bodies when catching and therefore need more development as hands catchers.

Separation (8) Very Good

A player's ability to separate from a defender while running a route is dependent on his ability to run a precise and clean route. Separation is not just the prospect's ability to separate with speed, but his ability to run several routes at a high level. The prospect's ability to sell a route to get a defender out of position is also a key way for a player to gain separation. Players with a limited route tree can make it easier for defenders to predict their route running tendencies. The ability to use their body to box out is another way to gain separation.

After Catch Ability (7) Very Good

A running back with the football in their hands, receivers who can catch a football and make defenders miss in open space, or that can break tackles is a commodity at the highest level of football: high-level WR's show elusiveness, strength, speed, and display toughness after the catch.

Key Strengths

Route Running
Hands
Acceleration

Key Weaknesses

Strength

Pass Game Summary

Dotson is an established route runner in the passing game, with no limits to his route tree. He is a true route salesman with no wasted movement. Dotson is a speedy player with excellent short-area burst. He combines excellent route running with explosive speed to gain separation. He has great hands, and he is a consistent hands catcher that rarely drops an on-target throw. He attacks the catch point and plays with excellent spatial awareness. He can go up and make a play in tight coverage or locate the open areas and track the football at a high level.

Dotson has a solid release at the line; he can deploy quick hands to swipe a defender's hands in press coverage. He has a nice crossover move that exhibits his basketball background to get initial separation at the line. With the ball in his hands, he can be allusive. He can make defenders miss if he has the room, and if he has the chance to hit top speed, he can house a play from anywhere on the field.

Dotson is a high IQ player; you can see it in his route running and his situational awareness, where he locates the open areas of the field to gain separation. He is a first down machine, which exhibits his awareness; he knows where the sticks are at all times. Dotson provides positional versatility at the NFL level. He played all over as a receiver, X, Slot, and the Z in college. He has occasionally lined up at RB to confuse a defense, and he provides kick or punt return flexibility.

Run Game Summary

Dotson can be deployed on jet sweeps or out of the backfield in the run game. He possesses the speed and burst of a RB and is excellent in space with the ball in his hands. Dotson is a willing run blocker; though he is smaller, he carries his own.

Final Analysis

Jahan Dotson is one of the top receivers in this class due to his route running, awareness, and speed. At 5-11, he does not appear to be a physical style player, but he exhibits the ability to use his body to make a play in coverage. At the NFL level, Dotson will provide positional flexibility where he can move all-around a formation. He is a legitimate deep threat who can also make plays underneath, turning the short throws into explosive plays.

Final Grade Analysis

Final Grade: (7.0) (Instant Impact Potential)

(9.0-7.0) High-End Starter

Ceiling Grade: (7.2) (Instant Impact Potential)