Draft Day will be a family affair for Dotson
STATE COLLEGE » Jahan Dotson built a reputation at Penn State as a receiver with soft hands, tremendous speed and precise routes. He has shown a different discipline in recent months when it comes to NFL mock drafts. Dotson has managed to avoid them, even though his family can’t.
“Oh, yeah, my dad’s bringing it up all the time,” he said Thursday at Penn State’s Pro Day. “’You’re going to the Chiefs. You’re going here. You’re going there.’
“I don’t know, Dad, and you don’t know either.”
It may not sound like it, but Dotson does believes he’s as talented as any receiver available.
“I truly believe that I am the best receiver in the draft,” he said. “I’m right up there with the top guys. My film kind of proves that.”
Dotson has received interest from several NFL teams that have picks in the lower half of the first round when the three-day draft commences the night of April 28.
The Green Bay Packers, for ex
ample, had general manager Brian Gutekunst and at least two scouts watching Dotson at Holuba Hall. The Packers traded AllPro receiver Davante Adams last week to Las Vegas, have needs at the position and have the 22nd and 28th picks in the draft.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network and Todd McShay of ESPN have Dotson going to the Packers with the 28th pick in their mock drafts. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Buffalo Bills taking Dotson with the 25th pick in his mock draft that was released this week.
“I actually met with the Packers receivers coach (Jason Vrable) a few days ago,” Dotson said. “It went really well. We were just talkin’ ball and getting to know each other. It went really well.”
All 32 teams had representatives in attendance Thursday. The Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots were among teams that had assistant coaches there to see Dotson work out. He did not disappoint with Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, his choice, throwing to him.
“It was really nice,” Dotson said. “Having that connection is huge for me. He’s been my guy the last three years. I feel the most comfortable with him. I made sure he was going to be the guy out here throwing to me. It was beautiful.”
Dotson flashed his speed, which was clocked at 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and caught every pass that Clifford sent his way.
“Sean was out there throwing dimes and spinning the ball,” he said. “Catching the ball feels therapeutic. It’s something I love doing. I always have a football in my hands. Catching the ball is something I find very easy. I love doing it.
“It’s really not acceptable for me to have drops.”
The 5-11, 184-pound Dotson ranked among the national leaders last season with 91 receptions, 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns. He opted out of the Outback Bowl, but he was the only receiver from a Power Five conference with at least 90 receptions, 1,180 yards and 12 TDs in the regular season.
He was a bright spot during Penn State’s disappointing 7-6 season.
“I’m a huge team guy,” Dotson said. “I love my guys. I wanted to win a championship. That was the biggest reason why I came back (for the 2021 season). We didn’t do that. You can’t dwell on it. You have to move forward.
“It was a great decision for me to come back individually. I was able to better myself and was able to better my stock in the draft.”
He has received much positive feedback from several NFL teams.
“I was talking to one of the coaches from the Ravens,” Dotson said. “He told me to work day-by-day and not to look too far ahead. ‘Make sure you’re on top of your stuff. Work on the next thing in front of you.’ That’s what I’m trying to do.”
He was scheduled to meet with Patriots representatives later Thursday. Dotson hasn’t decided where he plans to watch the draft, which will be in Las Vegas.
“I’m ready for it,” Dotson said. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment. I can’t wait to take it all in, especially with my family there by my side.
“My parents (Al and Robin) have been sacrificing since I was a little kid to put me in the best position possible to be successful. Finally seeing it all pay off is going to be cool.”