The Washington Commanders ended the Jahan Dotson era early before training camp’s conclusion.
Washington shipped the 16th pick from the 2022 NFL draft to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, sending a fifth-round pick with him in exchange for a third-round pick and a pair of seventh-round picks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
That the Commanders were willing to send Dotson elsewhere in the division sort of says it all about his time with the team.
The proverbial writing was on the wall just one week before the Commanders traded the former Penn State standout, too, given his comments about current Washington head coach Dan Quinn not being the one to actually draft him into the league.
Playing weight and schematic fit were always questions with Dotson. He scored seven times as a rookie over 12 games but appeared in 17 last year and scored four times. In Washington’s preseason opener, he played 32 snaps, an anomaly for a third-year player of his draft status.
On paper, the Commanders hoped Dotson would be that must-cover weapon across from No. 1 Terry McLaurin. But beyond eyebrow-raising preseason snaps, he split training camp reps with rookie Luke McCaffrey in the slot. Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus emerging on the boundary didn’t help his chances with the new coaching staff.
Dotson is merely the latest Ron Rivera-era draft pick on his way out the door and another Rivera first-round pick could be next. The tandem of sending him elsewhere in the NFC East and the fact new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has seen enough despite needing to help along quarterback Jayden Daniels says much here.
In fact, the Commanders salvage something of a minor win with the trade, getting something back in return for Dotson’s departure as opposed to potentially just cutting him before Week 1.
MORE COMMANDERS NEWS
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders earn stunning comparison in 2024 NFL projections
Colin Cowherd uses RGIII comparison to hot take Jayden Daniels over Caleb Williams
Prominent NFL analyst heaps huge praise on Commanders QB Jayden Daniels
Washington Commanders hyped rookie backup named breakout player after strong preseason
Washington Commanders roster bubble might feature recent 1st-round pick