30 Days of Colts' Fits: Colton Dowell, WR, Tennessee-Martin
The 2023 NFL Draft is officially just under a month away. In order to help you all along until draft day, I decided to start a daily prospect spotlight series to talk about some players that the Colts could target next month.
The players mentioned in this series will be players that I have either heard that the team is really high on or are players that just make way too much sense for the team based on fit/past draft history.
Next up on the countdown to Draftmas is Tennessee-Martin wide receiver Colton Dowell.
Background
Colton Dowell is a former two star recruit that redshirted during his first year with UT-Martin in 2017. Dowell slowly earned a role in the Skyhawks offense, appearing in 11 games for the team back in 2018. He hauled in 10 receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns in his debut season.
Dowell's impact steadily grew for the Skyhawks over the years. He started 10 games in 2019 for the team, rotating time between tight end and wide receiver. He had an explosive season, totaling 38 receptions for 765 yards and four touchdowns in his sophomore campaign. He was named First Team All-Conference for his play.
He came back with another First Team All-Conference season in 2020, as he started seven games for the Skyhawks. In those seven games, he hauled in 40 receptions for 459 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that up with another All-Conference season in 2021 (despite an injury limiting him to just six games). He totaled 22 receptions for 398 yards and two touchdowns on the year.
Dowell saved his best season for last in college football. He exploded this past year with 67 catches for 1,036 yards and six touchdowns. He earned First Team All Conference honors for the third time in his career in 2022.
Overall. Dowell leaves UT-Martin as one of the school's most productive pass catchers in team history.
Size/Testing
Height:
6'2"
Weight:
207 pounds
Testing Numbers:
40 Time: 4.42 seconds / Bench Press: 21 reps / Vertical Jump: 41.5 inches / Broad Jump: 133 inches / Short-Shuttle: 4.17 seconds / 3-Cone: 7.07 seconds
Ability on Film
Colton Dowell is an explosive vertical wide receiver that has had an outstanding offseason. He is a well-built productive player that can go up and win the 50/50 balls on the outside.
Dowell is the type of player that doesn't shy away from contact down the field. He makes plays in the vertical passing game, which is something that the Colts will certainly be coveting in their new offense next season:
The Colts love when small school players perform their best on the biggest stage. Dowell played against Boise State this past season and had a strong game in front of NFL scouts. He hauled in five receptions for 53 yards and a score against the FBS opponent:
While there isn't a ton of available film out there on Dowell on the moment, he is one of those players that flashes big time whenever you turn on one of his games.
Fit with the Colts/Team Interest
The Indianapolis Colts are moving to a vertical passing offense with the hiring of Shane Steichen. While the team did go out and add a speedster in Isaiah McKenzie, they could use another young pass catcher to threaten the defense at all levels.
Colton Dowell is a player that the Colts may not need to spend a draft pick on, but his H/W/S profile is something to bet on for the team. He reminds me a lot of Ashton Dulin as a prospect and I think he has the potential star special teamer with the ability to produce in a small role on offense.
The Colts are one of many teams that have shown interest in Dowell this offseason (according to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network). Dowell also fits every parameter of what the Colts look for in late round/UDFA receivers.
Overall, Dowell is the perfect project player for the Colts to look at late in the draft.
Learn more about Colton Dowell and so much more by pre-ordering the Indy Draft Guide!
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Follow Zach on Twitter @ZachHicks2.
