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Michigan State Football: Early ranking of top 2019 NFL Draft prospects

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans catches his second touchdown pass of the first half against defensive back Michael Ojemudia #11 of the Iowa Hawkeyes and defensive back Amani Hooker #27 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans catches his second touchdown pass of the first half against defensive back Michael Ojemudia #11 of the Iowa Hawkeyes and defensive back Amani Hooker #27 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – OCTOBER 1: Tyler Natee #31 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs the ball as Montae Nicholson #9 and Andrew Dowell #5 of the Michigan State Spartans make the tackle at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana defeated Michigan State 24-21. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – OCTOBER 1: Tyler Natee #31 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs the ball as Montae Nicholson #9 and Andrew Dowell #5 of the Michigan State Spartans make the tackle at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana defeated Michigan State 24-21. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Like Khari Willis, Andrew Dowell has a lot of work to do during his senior campaign to prove himself worthy of a draft selection. That’s not a knock on him, but NFL scouts will want more from Dowell during the 2018 season.

The outside linebacker has been relatively inconsistent throughout his first few seasons at Michigan State, but overall he’s a strong, athletic player with good instincts and a high football IQ. He can diagnose plays, but he does sometimes get caught out of position. He’s athletic enough to drop back in coverage and has good side-to-side quickness.

The former Kentucky pledge decided to flip to Michigan State with his brother from the 2015 recruiting class and he made the move from offense to defense and his versatility made it look easy. Unlike his twin brother, David Dowell, Andrew didn’t redshirt as a freshman, contributing at linebacker right away.

Dowell is coming off his best season with 75 total tackles, three for loss, 1.5 sacks and four passes defended. He now has 164 total tackles during his Michigan State career and could very well approach the 100-mark during the 2018 season alone.

Expect a late-round selection for the 6-1, 222-pound linebacker.

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