2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Mello Dotson (CB – Kansas)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Mello Dotson

Mello Dotson (CB – Kansas)

6-foot-1 | 190 Pounds

Background

Mello Dotson was a two-star recruit who has been on the team for the past five years. Played sparingly in 2020 before starting eight out of 12 games played the following year, including the first six; finished with 24 tackles and an interception.

Dotson saw his production expand to 54 tackles, two interceptions and six breakups in 2022. He then totaled 48 tackles, four interceptions (two touchdowns) and 11 breakups in 2023. Had a similar 2024, with 49 tackles, five interceptions (two touchdowns) and seven breakups.

Positives

Productive four-year starter whose play reached another level over the past two years. A tall, lanky left cornerback for the Jayhawks; size should meet any team’s requirements. Plays press-man and bail, often into Cover 3. Smooth mover with solid athleticism and flexibility. Shows good knee-bend and quick feet when backpedaling or shuffling.

The Kansas product has enough speed to stick with receivers over the middle on crossers or to carry them downfield on deep routes. Flashes the ability to use his length to pin opponents to the sidelines on outside releases down the field. Has clean transitions when going from his backpedal to driving on a spot. Ball-hawk with the length and aggressiveness teams look for in the position, with a ton of on-ball production and soft hands to make the interception.

Dotson has been dangerous with the ball in his hands, scoring four career touchdowns on interceptions. Quick to pull the trigger and get downhill in the screen game. Does a nice job of locking out blockers and funneling runners back toward help.

Negatives

Kansas plays their cornerbacks on sides, so it’d be nice to see more of him from the right side. There are some windows for timing-based throws when he’s in man coverage. Could be more consistent about using his hands to feel routes and stay connected. Can play with a little bit too much aggression, trying to jump shorter routes.

Still feels like his processing against route combinations from zones is a bit of a work in progress. Functional strength is limited and doesn’t have a ton of stopping power. Hasn’t been the most reliable tackler, being credited with misses on nearly a fifth of his career attempts, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Occasionally defers to nearby teammates in run support.

Summary

One of the handful of cornerbacks on the borderline of the second and third day, he’s got an impressive combination of height, length, footwork, fluidity, speed and ball skills that could make him a potential starter at the next level.

While Dotson played a lot of zone coverage in school, he might be a bit better-suited to a more man-based defense given his tools and lack of consistency as a tackler but has some schematic versatility. Looks like a nice developmental option for a team who can help him develop his functional strength and get him to play with more physicality.

Projection: Round 3/Round 4

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