Ras-I Dowling Scouting Report

Instincts/Recognition: Very instinctive. Reads the Quarterbacks eyes and likes jumping routes.  Plays double moves very well, rarely getting fooled. Has some of the best instincts and football intelligence of any Cornerback in this draft.

Cover Skills: A bigger body corner that can play bump and run and has the speed to keep up with receivers down field. Great hip flexibility and very fluid which allows him to turn and cut with receivers on a dime. Is not afraid to come up to the line and play press coverage. Shows elite athleticism and awareness while playing zone as well as man. Needs to work on staying low in his back pedal.

Ball skills: Very good hands. Has shown the ability to locate the ball in the air and pluck it at its highest point. Long arms allow him to bat down numerous balls.

Run Support: An aggressive tackler who gets into the mix. Is not afraid to come up in run support and take on blockers. Takes very good angles in pursuit of ball carriers. Needs to improve his form tackling, technique can be inconsistent at times. Has shown the propensity for making big hits. Accumulated 145 tackles during his 3 year tenure at Virginia.

Intangibles: Has elite size, and is a tremendous competitor. Tough kid who has dealt with a plethora of injuries.  Tried to play through an injury his senior year. Hard worker who could play corner or safety at the next level. Voted All-ACC Second Team his sophomore year, 2010 Pre-season All-ACC  and Second Team All-American.

Overall stock: Ras-I Dowling has elite size for a corner, but the question of if he can stay healthy is causing his stock to not reach full potential. Considered a first round talent going into the 2010 season, he battled and played through a knee injury before suffering a fractured ankle that ended his year. He also came up with a pulled hamstring while running the 40 at the combine. Dowling will need to show scouts that he can stay healthy. If he can, he should be an impact player for the team that takes him in the draft.

NFL Comparison: Ike Taylor

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