Dion Dawkins: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|American football player (born 1994)}}
{{Short description|American football player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Dion Dawkins
| name = Dion Dawkins
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| highlights =
| highlights =
* 3× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2022 Pro Bowl|2021]]–[[2024 Pro Bowl Games|2023]])
* 3× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2022 Pro Bowl|2021]]–[[2024 Pro Bowl Games|2023]])
| statweek = 18
| statweek =
| statseason = 2023
| statseason = 2023
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statlabel1 = Games played
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==Early years==
==Early years==
Dawkins attended [[Rahway High School]] in [[Rahway, New Jersey]] where he earned the nickname "the Shnowman."<ref>{{Cite web |title=20 questions with Bills T Dion Dawkins |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/20-questions-with-bills-t-dion-dawkins |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=www.buffalobills.com |language=en-US}}</ref> After originally committing to the Cincinnati Bearcats, Dawkins signed with [[Temple Owls football|Temple]] in January 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/06/temple-signs-23-to-national-letters-of-intent/|title = Temple signs 23 to National Letters of Intent|date = February 6, 2013}}</ref>
Dawkins attended [[Rahway High School]] in [[Rahway, New Jersey]] where he earned the nickname "the Shnowman."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Kelly |date=August 15, 2018 |title=20 questions with Bills T Dion Dawkins |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/20-questions-with-bills-t-dion-dawkins |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=BuffaloBills.com |language=en-US}}</ref> After originally committing to the Cincinnati Bearcats, Dawkins signed with [[Temple Owls football|Temple]] in January 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=John |date=February 6, 2013 |title=Temple signs 23 to National Letters of Intent |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/college-football/news/temple-signs-23-to-national-letters-of-intent |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>


==College career==
==College career==
Dawkins played at Temple from 2013 to 2016, starting 41 of 44 career games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/temple/20161116_Temple_tackle_Dawkins_has_made_most_of_his_chances.html|title = Temple tackle Dawkins has made most of his chances}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/overcoming-adversity-an-inside-look-at-temple-ot-dion-dawkins/ |title=Overcoming Adversity: An Inside Look at Temple OT Dion Dawkins - CBSSports.com |website=www.cbssports.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225084515/http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/overcoming-adversity-an-inside-look-at-temple-ot-dion-dawkins |archive-date=2016-12-25}} </ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/temple/20150806_Dawkins__facing_assault_trial__ready_to_contribute_for_Temple.html|title = Dawkins, facing assault trial, ready to contribute for Temple}}</ref> Dawkins was named a First-team All-[[2016 American Athletic Conference football season|American Athletic Conference]] selection after his senior year.
Dawkins played at Temple from 2013 to 2016, starting 41 of 44 career games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kern |first=Mike |date=November 15, 2016 |title=Temple tackle Dawkins has made most of his chances |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/colleges/temple/20161116_Temple_tackle_Dawkins_has_made_most_of_his_chances.html |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=Inquirer.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Bob |date=November 18, 2016 |title=Overcoming Adversity: An Inside Look at Temple OT Dion Dawkins – |url=http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/overcoming-adversity-an-inside-look-at-temple-ot-dion-dawkins/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225084515/http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/overcoming-adversity-an-inside-look-at-temple-ot-dion-dawkins |archive-date=December 25, 2016 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Narducci |first=Marc |date=August 5, 2015 |title=Dawkins, facing assault trial, ready to contribute for Temple |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/colleges/temple/20150806_Dawkins__facing_assault_trial__ready_to_contribute_for_Temple.html |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=Inquirer.com |language=en}}</ref> Dawkins was named a First-team All-[[2016 American Athletic Conference football season|American Athletic Conference]] selection after his senior year.


==Professional career==
==Professional career==
Dawkins received an invitation to the [[2017 Senior Bowl|Senior Bowl]] and started at guard for the North team. The North lost 15-16 to the South and he was named the Senior Bowl's top offensive lineman. He improved his draft stock after practicing and performing well during the [[Senior Bowl]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20170128_Temple_s_Haason_Reddick__Dion_Dawkins_stand_out_at_Senior_Bowl.html|title = Temple's Haason Reddick, Dion Dawkins stand out at Senior Bowl}}</ref> He attended the NFL Combine and completed all of the combine drills and positional drills. At Temple's Pro Day, Dawkins opted to attempt the vertical jump again and added two inches to his number from the Combine. He performed well in the positional drills with 40 scouts and representatives from all 32 [[NFL]] teams scouting him and 13 other teammates, including Temple's feature prospect, [[Haason Reddick]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bob Morrison |date=March 9, 2017 |title=Recap: Temple Pro Day 2017 |url=https://www.temple.247sports.com/Article/Recap-Temple-Pro-Day-2017--51671566/ |access-date=June 2, 2017 |website=temple.247sports.com}}</ref> Dawkins had private workouts with four teams, including the [[San Francisco 49ers]], [[Carolina Panthers]], [[Denver Broncos]], and [[Indianapolis Colts]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walter Football: 2017 NFL Draft Prospect Meetings/Visits |url=http://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetings/ByProspect |access-date=June 2, 2017 |website=walterfootball.com}}</ref> The majority of NFL draft experts and analysts projected him to be a second round pick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/dion-dawkins?id=2557875|title = Dion Dawkins Stats, News and Video - OT}}</ref> He was ranked the second-best guard in the draft by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', the third-best guard by [[ESPN]], the third-best interior offensive lineman by NFL analyst [[Mike Mayock]], and the fourth-best offensive tackle by NFL analyst [[Bucky Brooks]] and NFLDraftScout.com.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chris Burke |date=April 24, 2017 |title=2017 NFL Draft Rankings: Top Prospects by Position |url=https://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings |access-date=June 2, 2017 |website=si.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeff Legwold |date=April 22, 2017 |title=Ranking 2017 Draft's Top 100 Players |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold |access-date=June 2, 2017 |website=espn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Mike Mayock]] |date=April 12, 2017 |title=Mike Mayock's 2017 NFL Draft position rankings 3.0 |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000799336/article/mike-mayocks-2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings-30 |access-date=June 2, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Bucky Brooks]] |date=April 25, 2017 |title=Bucket Brooks' 2017 NFL Draft position rankings 3.0 |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000802450/article/bucky-brooks-top-5-2017-nfl-draft-prospects-by-position-30 |access-date=June 2, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>
Dawkins received an invitation to the [[2017 Senior Bowl|Senior Bowl]] and started at guard for the North team. The North lost 16–15 to the South and he was named the Senior Bowl's top [[offensive lineman]]. He improved his draft stock after practicing and performing well during the [[Senior Bowl]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berman |first=Zach |date=January 27, 2017 |title=Temple's Haason Reddick, Dion Dawkins stand out at Senior Bowl |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/eagles/20170128_Temple_s_Haason_Reddick__Dion_Dawkins_stand_out_at_Senior_Bowl.html |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=Inquirer.com |language=en}}</ref> He attended the [[NFL Combine]] and completed all of the combine drills and positional drills. At Temple's [[Pro Day]], Dawkins opted to attempt the [[vertical jump]] again and added two inches to his number from the Combine. He performed well in the positional drills with 40 scouts and representatives from all 32 [[NFL]] teams scouting him and 13 other teammates, including Temple's feature prospect, [[Haason Reddick]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wallen |first=Ryan |date=March 9, 2017 |title=Recap: Temple Pro Day 2017 |url=https://247sports.com/college/temple/Article/Recap-Temple-Pro-Day-2017--51671566/ |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=247Sports |language=en}}</ref> Dawkins had private workouts with four teams, including the [[San Francisco 49ers]], [[Carolina Panthers]], [[Denver Broncos]], and [[Indianapolis Colts]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walter Football: 2017 NFL Draft Prospect Meetings/Visits |url=http://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetings/ByProspect |access-date=June 2, 2017 |website=walterfootball.com |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810004953/http://www.walterfootball.com/prospectMeetings/byprospect |url-status=dead }}</ref> The majority of NFL draft experts and analysts projected him to be a second round pick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/dion-dawkins?id=2557875|title = Dion Dawkins Stats, News and Video OT}}</ref> He was ranked the second-best guard in the draft by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', the third-best guard by [[ESPN]], the third-best interior offensive lineman by NFL analyst [[Mike Mayock]], and the fourth-best [[offensive tackle]] by NFL analyst [[Bucky Brooks]] and NFLDraftScout.com.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chris Burke |date=April 24, 2017 |title=2017 NFL Draft Rankings: Top Prospects by Position |url=https://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings |access-date=June 2, 2017 |website=si.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeff Legwold |date=April 22, 2017 |title=Ranking 2017 Draft's Top 100 Players |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold |access-date=June 2, 2017 |website=espn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Mike Mayock]] |date=April 12, 2017 |title=Mike Mayock's 2017 NFL Draft position rankings 3.0 |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000799336/article/mike-mayocks-2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings-30 |access-date=June 2, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Bucky Brooks]] |date=April 25, 2017 |title=Bucket Brooks' 2017 NFL Draft position rankings 3.0 |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000802450/article/bucky-brooks-top-5-2017-nfl-draft-prospects-by-position-30 |access-date=June 2, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>
[[File:Dion Dawkins.jpg|thumb|Dawkins with the Bills in 2018]]
[[File:Dion Dawkins.jpg|thumb|Dawkins with the Bills in 2018]]
{{NFL predraft
{{NFL predraft
Line 70: Line 70:
| arm span = 35
| arm span = 35
| hand span = 9+7/8
| hand span = 9+7/8
| note = All values from [[NFL Combine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Dion Dawkins |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/dion-dawkins?id=2557875 |website=[[NFL.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Temple OT Dion Dawkins: 2017 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=126958&draftyear=2017&genpos=OT |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618054906/http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=126958&draftyear=2017&genpos=OT |archive-date=June 18, 2017 |access-date=May 25, 2017 |website=NFLDraftScout.com}}</ref>
| note = All values from [[NFL Combine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles Dion Dawkins |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/dion-dawkins?id=2557875 |website=[[NFL.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Temple OT Dion Dawkins: 2017 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=126958&draftyear=2017&genpos=OT |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618054906/http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=126958&draftyear=2017&genpos=OT |archive-date=June 18, 2017 |access-date=May 25, 2017 |website=NFLDraftScout.com}}</ref>
}}
}}
The [[Buffalo Bills]] selected Dawkins in the second round (63rd overall) of the [[2017 NFL Draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/draft.htm |access-date=July 2, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Dawkins was the second offensive guard drafted in 2017, behind [[Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football|Western Kentucky]] guard [[Forrest Lamp]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamilton, Jake |date=April 28, 2017 |title=Bills make bold move to land OT Dawkins |url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-make-bold-move-to-land-OT-Dawkins/f89ccbc1-23b3-4870-ab62-3aff1b965c52 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}</ref>
The [[Buffalo Bills]] selected Dawkins in the second round (63rd overall) of the [[2017 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/draft.htm |access-date=July 2, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Dawkins was the second offensive guard drafted in 2017, behind [[Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football|Western Kentucky]] guard [[Forrest Lamp]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamilton, Jake |date=April 28, 2017 |title=Bills make bold move to land OT Dawkins |url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-make-bold-move-to-land-OT-Dawkins/f89ccbc1-23b3-4870-ab62-3aff1b965c52 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}</ref>


On May 19, 2017, the Bills signed Dawkins to a four-year, $4.18 million contract with $1.83 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.18 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Dion Dawkins |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/dion-dawkins-21805/ |access-date=May 20, 2017 |website=spotrac.com}}</ref> He played in all 16 games, starting 11 at left tackle in place of [[Cordy Glenn]]. Dawkins received an overall grade of 74.5 from [[Pro Football Focus]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Second year players primed to breakout in 2018 |url=https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-second-year-players-primed-to-breakout-in-2018 |access-date=September 25, 2018 |website=profootballfocus.com}}</ref>
On May 19, 2017, the Bills signed Dawkins to a four-year, $4.18 million contract with $1.83 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.18 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Dion Dawkins |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/dion-dawkins-21805/ |access-date=May 20, 2017 |website=spotrac.com}}</ref> He played in all 16 games, starting 11 at [[left tackle]] in place of [[Cordy Glenn]]. Dawkins received an overall grade of 74.5 from [[Pro Football Focus]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gayle |first=Austin |date=May 25, 2018 |title=Second-year players primed for a breakout year in 2018 |url=https://www.pff.com/news/pro-second-year-players-primed-to-breakout-in-2018 |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=PFF |language=en}}</ref>


Dawkins entered training camp in 2018 slated as the starting left tackle after the Bills traded Cordy Glenn to the [[Cincinnati Bengals]]. Head coach [[Sean McDermott]] named Dawkins the starting left tackle to begin the regular season in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Buffalo Bills Depth Chart: 09/01/2018 |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/212/BUF |access-date=September 25, 2018 |website=Ourlads.com}}</ref> In Week 10 of the 2018 season, against the [[New York Jets]], Dawkins caught his first career pass, a seven-yard touchdown from [[quarterback]] [[Matt Barkley]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at New York Jets - November 11th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201811110nyj.htm |access-date=July 2, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
Dawkins entered [[training camp (NFL)|training camp]] in 2018 slated as the starting left tackle after the Bills traded Cordy Glenn to the [[Cincinnati Bengals]]. Head coach [[Sean McDermott]] named Dawkins the starting left tackle to begin the regular season in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Buffalo Bills Depth Chart: 09/01/2018 |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/212/BUF |access-date=September 25, 2018 |website=Ourlads.com}}</ref> In Week 10 of the 2018 season, against the [[New York Jets]], Dawkins caught his first career pass, a seven-yard [[touchdown]] from [[quarterback]] [[Matt Barkley]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at New York Jets November 11th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201811110nyj.htm |access-date=July 2, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>


In Week 16 of the 2019 season, against the [[New England Patriots]], Dawkins caught his second touchdown pass from [[Josh Allen]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots - December 21st, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201912210nwe.htm |access-date=July 2, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
In Week 16 of the 2019 season, against the [[New England Patriots]], Dawkins caught his second touchdown pass from [[Josh Allen]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots December 21st, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201912210nwe.htm |access-date=July 2, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>


On August 13, 2020, Dawkins signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension with the Bills that includes $34 million guaranteed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills sign LT Dion Dawkins to four-year, $60 million extension|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bills-sign-lt-dion-dawkins-to-four-year-60-million-extension|author=Patra, Kevin|website=NFL.com|date=August 13, 2020}}</ref>
On August 13, 2020, Dawkins signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension with the Bills that includes $34 million guaranteed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills sign LT Dion Dawkins to four-year, $60 million extension|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bills-sign-lt-dion-dawkins-to-four-year-60-million-extension|author=Patra, Kevin|website=NFL.com|date=August 13, 2020}}</ref>


In 2021, he began training camp on the [[COVID-19]] reserve list and needed some time to return to playing shape.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alper|first=Josh|date=2021-08-16|title=Sean McDermott: Dion Dawkins "not close to where he needs to be" after stint on COVID-19 list|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/16/sean-mcdermott-dion-dawkins-not-close-to-where-he-needs-to-be-after-stint-on-covid-19-list/|access-date=2021-08-16|website=ProFootballTalk|language=en-US}}</ref> Dawkins later revealed that he spent four days in the hospital battling the disease calling it "one of the lowest points" of his life.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Matt|date=2021-08-17|title=Dion Dawkins spent four days in the hospital with COVID-19|url=https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/8/17/22629094/dion-dawkins-spent-four-days-in-the-hospital-with-covid-19-buffalo-bills-left-tackle|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Buffalo Rumblings|language=en}}</ref>
In 2021, he began training camp on the [[COVID-19]] reserve list and needed some time to return to playing shape.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alper|first=Josh|date=August 16, 2021|title=Sean McDermott: Dion Dawkins "not close to where he needs to be" after stint on COVID-19 list|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/16/sean-mcdermott-dion-dawkins-not-close-to-where-he-needs-to-be-after-stint-on-covid-19-list/|access-date=August 16, 2021|website=ProFootballTalk|language=en-US}}</ref> Dawkins later revealed that he spent four days in the hospital battling the disease calling it "one of the lowest points" of his life.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Matt|date=August 17, 2021|title=Dion Dawkins spent four days in the hospital with COVID-19|url=https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/8/17/22629094/dion-dawkins-spent-four-days-in-the-hospital-with-covid-19-buffalo-bills-left-tackle|access-date=August 17, 2021|website=Buffalo Rumblings|language=en}}</ref>

On March 11, 2024, Dawkins signed a three-year, $60.5 million contract extension with the Bills through the 2027 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills agree to terms with three-time Pro Bowl LT Dion Dawkins on contract extension|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-agree-to-terms-with-three-time-pro-bowl-lt-dion-dawkins-on-contract-extension|author1=White, Alec|author2=Warren, Patrick|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 07:20, 12 March 2024

Dion Dawkins
refer to caption
Dawkins in 2022
No. 73 – Buffalo Bills
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1994-04-26) April 26, 1994 (age 30)
Rahway, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:320 lb (145 kg)
Career information
High school:Rahway
College:Temple (2013–2016)
NFL draft:2017 / Round: 2 / Pick: 63
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Games played:112
Games started:106
Receptions:2
Receiving yards:8
Receiving touchdowns:2
Player stats at PFR

Dion Dawkins (born April 26, 1994) is an American football offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple.

Early years

Dawkins attended Rahway High School in Rahway, New Jersey where he earned the nickname "the Shnowman."[1] After originally committing to the Cincinnati Bearcats, Dawkins signed with Temple in January 2013.[2]

College career

Dawkins played at Temple from 2013 to 2016, starting 41 of 44 career games.[3][4][5] Dawkins was named a First-team All-American Athletic Conference selection after his senior year.

Professional career

Dawkins received an invitation to the Senior Bowl and started at guard for the North team. The North lost 16–15 to the South and he was named the Senior Bowl's top offensive lineman. He improved his draft stock after practicing and performing well during the Senior Bowl.[6] He attended the NFL Combine and completed all of the combine drills and positional drills. At Temple's Pro Day, Dawkins opted to attempt the vertical jump again and added two inches to his number from the Combine. He performed well in the positional drills with 40 scouts and representatives from all 32 NFL teams scouting him and 13 other teammates, including Temple's feature prospect, Haason Reddick.[7] Dawkins had private workouts with four teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Indianapolis Colts.[8] The majority of NFL draft experts and analysts projected him to be a second round pick.[9] He was ranked the second-best guard in the draft by Sports Illustrated, the third-best guard by ESPN, the third-best interior offensive lineman by NFL analyst Mike Mayock, and the fourth-best offensive tackle by NFL analyst Bucky Brooks and NFLDraftScout.com.[10][11][12][13]

Dawkins with the Bills in 2018
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+78 in
(1.93 m)
314 lb
(142 kg)
35 in
(0.89 m)
9+78 in
(0.25 m)
5.11 s 1.79 s 2.94 s 4.78 s 7.30 s 26 in
(0.66 m)
8 ft 10 in
(2.69 m)
26 reps
All values from NFL Combine.[14][15]

The Buffalo Bills selected Dawkins in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.[16] Dawkins was the second offensive guard drafted in 2017, behind Western Kentucky guard Forrest Lamp.[17]

On May 19, 2017, the Bills signed Dawkins to a four-year, $4.18 million contract with $1.83 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.18 million.[18] He played in all 16 games, starting 11 at left tackle in place of Cordy Glenn. Dawkins received an overall grade of 74.5 from Pro Football Focus in 2017.[19]

Dawkins entered training camp in 2018 slated as the starting left tackle after the Bills traded Cordy Glenn to the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach Sean McDermott named Dawkins the starting left tackle to begin the regular season in 2018.[20] In Week 10 of the 2018 season, against the New York Jets, Dawkins caught his first career pass, a seven-yard touchdown from quarterback Matt Barkley.[21]

In Week 16 of the 2019 season, against the New England Patriots, Dawkins caught his second touchdown pass from Josh Allen.[22]

On August 13, 2020, Dawkins signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension with the Bills that includes $34 million guaranteed.[23]

In 2021, he began training camp on the COVID-19 reserve list and needed some time to return to playing shape.[24] Dawkins later revealed that he spent four days in the hospital battling the disease calling it "one of the lowest points" of his life.[25]

On March 11, 2024, Dawkins signed a three-year, $60.5 million contract extension with the Bills through the 2027 season.[26]

References

  1. ^ Baker, Kelly (August 15, 2018). "20 questions with Bills T Dion Dawkins". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  2. ^ Taylor, John (February 6, 2013). "Temple signs 23 to National Letters of Intent". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  3. ^ Kern, Mike (November 15, 2016). "Temple tackle Dawkins has made most of his chances". Inquirer.com. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  4. ^ Morrison, Bob (November 18, 2016). "Overcoming Adversity: An Inside Look at Temple OT Dion Dawkins –". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2016.
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External links