NFL Draft Profile: Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver, Penn State Nittany Lions
#5
Pos: WR
Ht: 5105
Wt: 178
Hand: 0948
Arm: 3068
Wing: 7400
40: 4.43
Bench: N/A
3-Cone: 7.28
Shuttle: N/A
Vert: 36"
Broad: 10'01"
DOB: 3/22/00
Eligible: 2022
Newark, NJ
Nazareth High School
Jahan Dotson
Penn State Nittany Lions
One-Liners
A polished route runner with excellent hands, Jahan Dotson should make an NFL roster early in his career; however, he lacks the size and athleticism to consistently separate.
Pros:
As a receiver with extremely quick feet and flexible ankles, Dotson excels as a receiver on underneath routes. He makes it hard for defenders to stay with him completely because of his acceleration into the top of his route. He creates extra separation with sudden movements, leaving defenders on skates at times. Even though he is a smaller target, his catch radius has proved to be bigger than his size as he is capable of hauling in passes away from his frame. Doton has the important trait of always maintaining good body control throughout all parts of his game. Understands how to catch the ball at all angles, no matter how the delivery is. He is simply a natural pass catcher and makes every reception look easy. Flashes a solid vertical to go up and get the ball in the air. His agility and suddenness is unmatched. Dotson has the versatility to play on the outside and in the slot. Proves to be a reliable punt returner.
Cons:
Dotson has a smaller, leaner frame which may turn some teams off if there are durability concerns with his associated measurements. He struggles with the physicality aspect to break out of his release against press coverage at the line of scrimmage. Considering his size, he doesn’t have exceptional long or breakaway speed down the field which may limit him to an underneath/slot role at the next level. Isn’t overly dynamic after the catch and doesn’t create a lot of yards upfield. Occasionally took bad paths to the ball on deep passes, although his quarterback didn’t help him out with ball placement whatsoever. He isn’t much of a contributor as a blocker as he lacks the size and strength to make a real impact.
Summary:
Jahan Dotson is a quick, undersized receiver for the Nittany Lions with extremely solid production over the past two seasons. He wins with quickness and agility as a route runner. As a pass catcher, he makes himself bigger than he is with a wider catch radius than expected, as well as being natural with his hands. He may lack the true long speed and physicality to play as a vertical receiver on the outside. His best role will be as a slot receiver who can shift and move around to keep the defense on their toes.
Background:
Born in Newark, New Jersey on March 22nd, 2000 to parents Robin and Al Dotson, Jahan Waltè Dotson has one brother, Al, and majors in telecommunications. A three-time letterman and a team captain his senior year of high school, Dotson had a storied high school career. He was named to USA Today’s first-team All-USA Pennsylvania Football Team as a senior. He was also selected to the Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 4A all-state first team in 2015 and 2017. As a senior, he was also named to the Pennsylvania Football News All-Class 6A first-team. In 2017, Dotson earned Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Most Offensive Valuable Player honors. He was named an EPC South Division All-Star as a wide receiver in 2016 and was given the same award in 2015 and 2017 as a wide receiver and defensive back. Further, Dotson was selected to the All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League first team as an offensive utility in 2016. He was also named to the Big 33 Game and was chosen as team MVP in his freshman year. Dotson holds this high school’s record for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. 247Sports Composite Rankings listed Dotson as a 4-star recruit, the 192nd recruit in the nation, the 36th best receiver recruit in the nation and the 6th best recruit in the state of Pennsylvania. In his career at Penn State, Dotson has accumulated an impressive amount of in-game experience. The New Jersey native has played in 30 career games and started 26 for the Nittany Lions. Dotson earned honorable mention All-America honors from Phil Steele in 2020. He was also named All-Big Ten third team as a receiver by coaches and media, who also awarded him honorable mention All-Big Ten as a punt returner. He was also given second-team All-Big Ten honors by Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele.
Floor/Ceiling: Average Starter / Average Starter
Scheme Fit: Versatile Z and Slot
Grade: 2nd Round
Injury History: Suffered season-ending compound leg fracture in 2016.
Character Notes: N/A
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