Prospect Bio

Jahan Dotson is a wide receiver from Nazareth, Pennsylvania where he dominated the high school stage before taking the field at Penn State. He set school records for receptions (187), receiving yards (2,755), and receiving touchdowns (40). As a senior, he was named to the USA Today’s All-USA Pennsylvania team while also taking home his conference’s MVP award. Dotson was also a star on the basketball court as well as in track and field. He won the state championship in the 4×100 relay and the long jump in 2016. Two years later, he earned conference championships in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 relay. Dotson was highly sought after as a four-star recruit. He received offers from over 20 schools, including Alabama, UCLA, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Ohio State. He initially committed to UCLA before deciding to stay close to home at Penn State. 

It was a quiet first two seasons as he combined for just 40 receptions in his freshman and sophomore years. His production surged in 2020 after K.J. Hamler left for the NFL. Dotson snagged 52 balls for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games. After failing to reach a 20-percent dominator rating in 2018 or 2019, Dotson’s share of the passing offense rocketed to a 42.7 dominator. Dotson opted to return for his senior season when he caught 91 passes for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added an additional score on the ground. Dotson was also a threat as a punt returner during his time at Penn State, fielding 25 returns over his career, including one house call.

College Stats

Jahan Dotson College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference.com

Positives

+Good speed 

+25 career punt returns (1TD)

+Succeeds on all three levels

+Good run after the catch ability

+Very good route-runner; creates natural separation

+Position versatility: lined up at X, Y, and Z positions

+Excellent hands

+Big-play threat

+Good acceleration 

+Succeeds vs press despite size

+44.3% College Dominator Rating (PlayerProfiler)

+30% Target Share in 2021

+7.6 receptions per game in 2021

+2.9 yards per team pass attempt in 2020

+48% receiving touchdown share in 2021

Negatives

-Undersized

-Little production during his freshman and sophomore seasons

-Age 20.5 Breakout Age 

-Not an early declare

Highlight Reel

Comparable Player: Tyler Lockett

NFL Draft Projection: Late First Round/Early Second

Bottom Line:

Jahan Dotson is a big-play threat with excellent speed, acceleration, and hands. What makes him exceptionally dangerous is his versatility to line up anywhere on the field and to create separation on all three levels. His Penn State career got off to a quiet start but ended with bang. He had dominator ratings over 40-percent in each of his last two seasons while commanding 30-percent of the targets in 2021. He will be best in a spread offense with a vertical attack that allows him to use his full range of abilities. Dotson is projected to find draft capital in the first round of the NFL Draft. In dynasty, his rookie ADP will likely settle in the early-to-mid second round which will present great value.

Post Draft Analysis:

Jahan Dotson may have the best quarterback situation of all the first round wide receivers. Carson Wentz is far from a good real life quarterback but his gunslinging tendencies will benefit both Dotson and incumbent WR1 Terry McLaurin. 

Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, PFN, PFF, TDN

Yards Per-Formance Prospect Grade