Jahan Dotson speaks at 2022 NFL Combine, notes and quotes

Penn State’s star former pupil at the 2022 NFL Combine is receiver Jahan Dotson. Yes, safety Jaquan Brisker and defensive end Arnold Ebiketie have the chance to be high picks in April’s draft. Still, Dotson has the name recognition and highlights that few others have from the Nittany Lions this year. Yesterday, Dotson spoke with the media about his time at Penn State, his path forward, and other topics. This article is a collection of those comments and notes about the Penn State wideout, with the bulk coming from Pittsburgh Sports Live, whose video is embedded below. 

On if NFL teams see him as a slot-only receiver or if they see him being able to play inside and out.

“I would definitely say my versatility is one of the biggest assets of my game. I’m just going to try to become a pro from day one. Learning from the older guys learn from vets picking up on little things that I can I don’t add into my game.”

Jahan Dotson on his lack of size and physicality being an issue

“Size is obviously not a big factor for me, just because it was something I was born with, God-given. God’s let me be able to play at a high level of football, so I’m not really focused on my size. Obviously getting bigger in the weight room, that’s always something I’m trying to do. Just excel in my football skills [and] learn from vets, like I said, making my game work. Just watching tape on guys like Davante Adams and Calvin Ridley. I like the versatility of Kennan Allen, just watching different guys in the NFL. 

On that note, Dotson’s official measurements are out, and the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah proved them on Twitter late Thursday morning. 

Jahan Dotson

5105
178
9 1/2 hand
30 3/4 arm
74 wing

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 3, 2022

While many fans will roll their eyes at this analysis, the main takeaway from these measurements will be Dotson’s arm length and his weight. He was listed at 183 pounds last season at Penn State, so he’s dropped roughly five pounds off that total. For an undersized player, it’s essential. His 40 time will have to be as impressive as predicted (sub 4.40) to offset the lack of size. 

Secondly, and maybe most important, is his arm length. A sub-31-inch reach is a concern for some teams. Those two or three inches of extra distance can be the difference between a contested-catch and a batted ball. While most will have to turn on the film to see that Dotson has a big catch radius thanks to his hands and size, if a team was on the fence about his first-round status, this doesn’t help. 

Can Jahan Dotson post fastest 40-time at NFL Combine? Pro comparison for 5-star Penn State commit, more: Newsstand

Catching is Dotson’s pass time

Let’s jump back to Dotson’s combine interview to hear how he’s developed such a great set of hands. 

“That’s just some of them working on my entire life because I’ve been catching a football since I was about three years old. So when I think about it, catcher football was pretty much therapeutic to me. It’s something I really enjoy. So going up and catching contestant passes is something I’ve been doing my whole life.”

Stacy Dales from the NFL Network provided some more context to that. 

Penn State Wideout Jahan Dotson is widely considered to have the best “hands” in this years group of draft prospects. He just said he lays in bed and throws the football to himself. Kids, take note. 🏈 @nflnetwork

— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 2, 2022

Acrobatic catches and catches at the edge of his radius are not a problem for Dotson. The problem is when someone else is there. According to PFF, Dotson has caught 12 of his 28 contested targets over the last two seasons, roughly 43%. While that’s not an atrocious number, it is in the bottom half of receives in this draft. 

What about that 40 time?

Fellow Penn State beat writer Mark Wogenrich of Sports Illustrated borrowed some insightful quotes from colleague about what has fueled Dotson’s rise through the ranks as a speed merchant. During his interview portion of the combine, he relayed the story of the 2019 Penn State vs. Minnesota game and how he felt that if he went the distance, it would have changed the course of that season, 

“Yeah, so 2019,” Dotson said. “I had an opportunity to win the game vs. Minnesota. Honestly, that probably would have put us in the College Football Playoff. But I got caught from behind, and we ended up losing with about a minute left in the game. And I still look at that day, that game to this day.

Combine drills for tight ends, receivers, and quarterbacks start Thursday at 4 pm. We’ll have a recap of Dotson’s performance along with an analysis after his workout ends.