Cornerback 

Virginia

6-1 198

Draft Board Overall Cornerback Rank: #5

Draft Board Overall Prospect Rank: #22

Rating: 84 (late 1st) 

40 time: 4.37

4/16/11: Dowling finally finished a workout! He didn’t just finish. He lit it up. After running a 4.40 at The Combine, despite pulling a hammy, he ran a 4.37 at his Pro Day. He also had a 10-8 broad jump and a 38 inch vertical. He looked great in the drills. Health problems are there, but he’s still got a first round grade in my book, and he has had for 2 years. He’ll probably go in the 2^nd round, but several draftniks have given him a first round grade, as I have. 

3/30/11: Dowling is hurt again. After missing most of the season with injury, missing the Senior Bowl with injury, and pulling his hammy running at The Combine, Dowling couldn’t do anything at Virginia’s Pro Day. He’ll have own more shot at it with his own Pro Day next month, but the injury red flags are there. He’s a first round talent, but can he stay healthy at the next level?

2/14/11: Ras-I is an extremely big and athletic cornerback with 3 years of experience in a zone style defense at Virginia. He has thrived playing zone, but also has the ability and athleticism to mirror receivers well in man-on-man coverage. He’s very tall, about 3 or 4 inches taller than the average cornerback, and that well help him as a corner in the red zone.

He can blitz and run support and he’s not afraid to take on a block. He has a great motor and is very instinctive. He doesn’t have great straight line speed and can be burned occasionally by speed receivers. He could be more fluid in backpedal, especially when covering someone man-to-man.

He’s most likely best suited for a zone or cover 2 defense because of his athleticism, closing speed, and awareness and experience playing in the system. He has good hands, both for intercepting passes, and for use in run stopping. His hands are very strong and physical for a cornerback. Dowling has all the tools to be a top cornerback in the right scheme.

NFL Comparison: Ike Taylor