Packers 2022 Prospect Watch: Penn State WR Jahan Dotson
In PFF’s latest NFL Mock Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson with the 28th overall pick.
Dotson projects as a deep threat wide receiver playing on the perimeter, a similar role to what pending free agent Marquez Valdes-Scantling currently plays.
With the Packers currently $38.4 million over the salary cap heading into the offseason, per Spotrac, it’s unlikely that the Packers will retain Valdes-Scantling, especially given his injury history (he played only 11 games this season, and missed the team’s only postseason game due to injury). It makes sense that they’d search for his replacement through the draft.
Here’s what PFF had to say about the pick:
"“Everything about this pick is up in the air. If the Packers don’t have quarterback Aaron Rodgers for next season, they’re likely shifting towards a total rebuild, which will change the priorities here quite a bit. But, as of now, Rodgers is on the Packers, and if that’s still the case come draft time, getting him another offensive weapon will be on the table.”"
Dotson was a high four-star recruit coming out of college, according to Pro Football Network. He improved each year of his college career, finishing with a stellar senior season, catching 91 passes for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns, per ESPN.
Dotson has a small frame, standing at only 5’11, 184 pounds. However, the receiver makes up for his size with his surprising agility and quick, long strides. He has a good vertical, and does a good job using his whole body to sell routes, making him an effective route runner.
Additionally, Dotson has great hands. He rarely drops passes, and has shown the ability to make difficult catches. He’s also had success throughout college despite not having consistent quarterback play. His body control while in the air is elite, allowing him to overcome the size disadvantages he often faces while trying to make contested catches. However, he often struggles while run blocking, although that’s something the Packers have traditionally developed well in receivers.
When an NFL team drafts a receiver in the first round, they expect them to become a three-level threat, meaning that they can be an effective receiver on short, medium and deep routes. Dotson shows the potential to become a three-level threat, although his size could cause issues on shorter routes, where defenders could have an easier time outmuscling him, especially when they play press coverage.
Because of his size, Dotson isn’t the prototypical Brian Gutekunst wide receiver. Gutekunst often searches for receivers with excellent size, such as Valdes-Scantling (6’4) and Allen Lazard (6’5). However, he’s shown the ability to deviate from that trend in recently, drafting the 5’9 Amari Rodgers in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.
While the Packers have been oft criticized for not spending first-round picks on the wide receiver position, this feels like the year they might need to. Most of their key contributors at the position, including unanimous All-Pro Davante Adams, are pending free agents, and the Packers will not be able to bring back all of them, especially if they sign Adams to a lucrative contract. The Packers will need an additional playmaker at wide receiver, no matter who the team’s quarterback is in 2022.
The best case-scenario for the Packers if they draft Dotson would be for Adams to sign an extension to stay with the team. He could help mentor Dotson into an elite receiver, and the pair could form a formidable duo for either Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love. If Adams leaves, however, the Packers will need to hope that Dotson can develop into a viable WR1, and form a connection with his quarterback (likely Love, if Adams leaves).
All in all, this would be a somewhat unexpected pick for Green Bay, considering the traits they’ve valued in previous first-round selections. However, fans would be ecstatic for the Packers to finally draft a receiver in the first round. The pick would help to refill a deplenished receiver room in Green Bay.