Penn State’s Jahan Dotson turns in solid outing in combine drills, testing

Over the next four days, the eight Penn State representatives are slated to work out at the 2022 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, which provides them the chance to put concrete measurements next to their names during the pre-draft process.

Former Lions wide receiver Jahan Dotson was the first one up Thursday evening at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Dotson entered the week regarded as a prospect who could go in the back half of the first round or early in the second of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was a star for Penn State in 2021 with 91 catches for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he displayed the ability to consistently make plays even when opposing defenses knew he was going to get the ball.

Dotson’s hands and speed were well-regarded traits entering the process, but there are some questions about his size. He’s on the slighter side for some of the top wide receivers in the draft class.

“Size, obviously, not a big factor to me just because it was something I was born with, God-given. God has led me to be able to play at a high level of football, so I’m not really focused on just my size,” Dotson told reporters Wednesday. “Obviously, getting bigger in the weight room, that’s always something I’m trying to do, but just excelling and my football skills, learning from vets and making my game work.”

During his meeting with reporters, Dotson touted his ” versatility ” and his ability to play any wide receiver position in an offense. He has the skill set for a forward-minded offensive coordinator to move him around formations. It was up to his testing numbers to make an impression, though.

Dotson’s measurements

Height: 5 feet, 10 5/8 inches

Weight: 178 pounds

Arm length: 30 3/4 inches

Wingspan: 74 inches

Hand size: 9 1/2 inches

Dotson’s testing numbers

40-yard dash: 4.43 seconds

Vertical jump: 36 inches

Broad jump: 121 inches

Combine context

Dotson’s 40 time was tied for the 12th-fastest among wide receivers. Baylor’s Tyquan Thornton topped the list a 4.28 seconds, and overall, eight players went sub-4.4 seconds. A couple other notable performances in the 40 came from Rutgers’ Bo Melton (4.34), Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson (4.38) and Ohio State’s Chris Olave (4.39 seconds).

Dotson’s vertical jump tied for the 11th-best with Wilson and South Alabama’s Jalen Tolbert.

He was further down the leaderboard for the broad jump in a tie for 23rd-best.

What the experts said

Jordan Reid, ESPN: “Staying with my Emmanuel Sanders comp for Jahan Dotson. Similar build, electric route runners, and easily plucks the ball out of the air. A high-end WR2 on the next level. He had a very solid workout tonight.”

Jacob Infante, Draft Wire: “Jahan Dotson just killed that gauntlet drill. He has such good hands, and he’s insanely coordinated. No surprise he played as well as he did just now.”

Nate Tice, Bleacher Report: “Huge fan of Jahan Dotson. Complete receiver with hands, catching range, and legit three level route running ability.”

Post-combine assessment

While Dotson didn’t run as fast as he has in the past or as others expected him to run, he’s no slouch with his official 40 time of 4.43 seconds. He’ll have the chance to better that later this month at Penn State’s Pro Day.

Overall, Dotson didn’t hurt his draft stock. He still seems poised to go in the back half of the first round or early in the second round. And that could prove beneficial to him, as a number of the teams late in the first round already have entrenched quarterbacks and wide receivers that could help Dotson with his transition to the next level.