Oct 11, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Paul Dawson (47) during the game against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Inside linebacker Paul Dawson went into this offseason as one of the top prospects at his position. And like most of the draft analyst and scouts out there, I had his draft grade on the 1-2 border. Dawson was a playmaker on that TCU defense that seemed to be everywhere on the field on game day.
He looked fluid, athletic, like had good instincts, trusts them and pulls the trigger without hesitation. He also looked good in coverage, sometimes covering the slot along with tight ends and running backs. But then he ran his 40 at the combine and I was shocked, knowing that it wasn’t going to be good.
He just didn’t look like the same guy I saw on tape because as the speed and fluidity weren’t there. His official time was 4.93 and he looked slower than that, looking like a guy carrying too much extra weight. He even looked like he was lumbering through drills while weighing only 235 pounds.
So what would his niche be if he’s that size and that slow?
But that’s what pro days are for and Dawson came out and showed he just had a bad day at the combine. He ran a 4.78-40 and looked very good in his linebackers drills, the way I thought he would at the combine. He met with the New Orleans Saints and the St. Louis Rams as well.
So for the teams looking for a three-down inside linebacker, he has acquitted himself.
He is athletic enough.