Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Jonathan Dowling (Western Kentucky) - 2014 NFL Draft Pick #247 by OAK


What The Experts Thought Before The Draft

Pre-Draft Analysis for Jonathan Dowling (2014 NFL Draft)

Player Overview: Jonathan Dowling was a safety from Western Kentucky University, known for his athletic ability, ball skills, and playmaking potential. Standing at 6'2" and weighing around 190 pounds, he possessed a good combination of size and speed that made him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams.

  • College Performance:
    • Dowling had a productive college career, showcasing his ability to make plays in the secondary.
    • He recorded multiple interceptions, demonstrating his ball-hawking skills and awareness in coverage.
  • Strengths:
    • Exceptional athleticism and range, allowing him to cover a lot of ground in the secondary.
    • Good instincts and awareness in reading the quarterback’s eyes and anticipating plays.
    • Strong ball skills, with a knack for making interceptions and breaking up passes.
    • Versatile player who could potentially fit into various defensive schemes.
  • Areas for Improvement:
    • Needs to improve his tackling technique and consistency, as he sometimes struggled in one-on-one situations.
    • Could benefit from more experience in complex defensive schemes to refine his coverage skills.
    • Needs to add bulk to his frame to handle the physicality of the NFL.
  • Draft Projection:
    • Projected as a mid-to-late round pick, with potential to be a starter in the right system.
    • Teams looking for depth in the secondary and a player with upside could take a chance on him earlier.

Jonathan Dowling was seen as a developmental prospect with the potential to grow into a reliable safety in the NFL, given the right coaching and environment.