Keelan Doss had an outstanding career as a wide receiver at UC Davis, catching 321 passes for more than 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns.
The Alameda native, who’s 6-foot-2 and 211 pounds, didn’t often play against the best programs in the nation, but he proved himself against big-time talent whenever he got the opportunity. This past season against Stanford, for instance, Doss had 13 catches for 106 yards.
Doss received an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl and was projected as a possible fifth-round pick in the NFL draft. Doss, however, went undrafted.
But, it turns out that was good for the Raiders, who signed him as an undrafted free agent after team coaches got a good look at him while coaching at the Senior Bowl.
Analyst Mike Garafolo believes the Raiders may have gotten themselves a gem in Doss, saying he was a “legitimate mid-round” draft projection who had seemed to strengthen his case by running well for scouts at his pro day workout. He called Doss a smart receiver and smooth route runner.
“Look out for this guy in the future if you’re talking undrafted success stories,” said Garafolo.
Former NFL scout and current NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah has compared Doss to former Cal receiver Keenan Allen, now a standout player with the Chargers, saying Doss “could teach a master class about releases/route running.”
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Jeremiah even went so far as to rank Doss 99th on his list of top 100 college prospects entering the draft.
One AFC receivers coach told NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein: “He’s got size and understands how to play the position. I don’t know how he runs, but I like receivers who are at their best when the ball is in the air.”
Added Zierlein, of Doss: “Wins with a high football IQ and above-average skill level, but has to prove he can transfer those elements into catches against NFL coverage. He is not a burner and can be a little delayed in defeating press (coverage), but he just has a feel for finding catches using above-average route savvy and ball skills.”
