Mello Dotson CB Kansas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Mello Dotson CB Kansas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/20/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (48%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |
| Last Updated: 11/20/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (48%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.1 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 69.5 | |
| Tackling: |
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62% |
| Run Defense: |
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75% |
| Coverage: |
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89% |
| Zone: |
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86% |
| Man/Press: |
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85% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#128
Position rank:
#28
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| College Games: 55 College Snaps: 2652 | ||
ESPN RATING: 73/100
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247 RATING: 84/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.4 (89%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| T.J. Tampa - Iowa State |
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96% |
| Jarrian Jones - Florida State |
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88% |
| Elijah Jones - Boston College |
|
86% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A five-year contributor at Kansas, Mello Dotson (6'1", 190) collected 11 interceptions with five returned for touchdowns during his collegiate career. The Mainland High School product transformed from a three-star recruit into an All-Big 12 performer, setting the school record for pick-sixes. His senior season featured 5 interceptions alongside 41 tackles and 4 pass breakups across 12 starts.Starting 32 consecutive games over his final three seasons, Dotson's junior year marked his most productive with 4 interceptions, including 2 pick-sixes, plus 11 pass breakups and 48 tackles. This performance earned him Third Team All-America honors from College Football Network. Over his career, he appeared in 53 games while recording 169 total tackles and 21 passes defended.
The Daytona Beach native arrived at Kansas after a standout high school career where he recorded 46 tackles and 5 interceptions as a senior. His collegiate resume includes Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Defensive Back of the Week recognition, and First Team Academic All-Big 12 selection.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Plus ball production in zone coverage, clicking and closing on throws with natural anticipation and route recognition skills
- Dynamic playmaker with 11 career picks and 5 pick-sixes, displaying exceptional vision and burst after securing turnovers
- Long-levered press corner who uses length effectively to disrupt releases and squeeze receivers to sideline
- Processes route combinations quickly in zone, maintaining leverage while keeping eyes on quarterback
- Smooth pedal and transition when flipping hips, stays in phase through stem and break points
- Reliable wrap-up tackler coming downhill, takes proper pursuit angles against boundary runs
- Battle-tested against Big 12 spread offenses, showing consistent development in diverse coverage schemes
- Iron man durability with 32 straight starts and heavy snap counts in multiple defensive packages
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Pedestrian timed speed limits ceiling in man coverage, particularly against vertical routes outside the numbers
- Aggressive eyes lead to occasional coverage busts when peeking in backfield for interception opportunities
- Inconsistent tackle technique in space, tends to dive rather than driving through contact point
- Lacks ideal play strength to consistently re-route NFL receivers in press coverage situations
- Average lateral twitch and explosiveness out of breaks could expose him against shifty slot receivers
Scouting Report: Summary
Boundary corner best suited for zone-heavy systems emphasizing quarters coverage and pattern matching. Natural anticipation and route recognition compensate for average long speed when keeping plays in front. Excels reading quarterback's eyes and jumping routes from off coverage.Ideal fit in sub-packages initially while developing press technique and adding functional strength. Plus ball skills and proven nose for the end zone create immediate value in turnover-focused defensive schemes. Length and zone instincts profile well for Tampa 2 systems requiring corners to squeeze vertical routes.
Will need protected coverage responsibilities early while adjusting to NFL game speed. Ceiling limited by athletic constraints but floor raised by football character and playmaking ability. Role player with scheme-specific starting upside when deployed properly.
How other scouting services rate Mello Dotson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
119.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
35.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.