The Eagles acquired Jahan Dotson from the Commanders yesterday, a deal that's unusual for several reasons. It's an in-division trade on the eve of the season, which is kind of weird, and it also involves a player who was seemingly going to start for Washington. That won't be happening in Philly.
Dotson was a first-round pick just two years ago, and like a lot of Washington first-rounders recently, he's been a disappointment. But Philadelphia apparently likes him, with the pick swap including them sending a third-rounder (and getting a fifth in return). That's a pretty high pick to give up for a guy who's done as little as Dotson has.
Ostensibly a big-play threat, Dotson has been pretty hit or miss in that regard. As a rookie he averaged 14.9 yards per reception and 20 percent of his 35 catches went for touchdowns (7). But there was precious little of that last year. He started all season, but averaged just 10.6 yards per catch and caught only 4 TDs. His quarterback wasn't very good, but that's still pretty modest production. Across two seasons, his 11 touchdowns have come from an average of 15 yards. That's down in the neighborhood of slow-footed Keenan Allen, among all wide receivers to catch at least 10 TDs the last two years. (To the surprise of no one, Tyreek Hill has been best in this regard.)
| WRS AVERAGE TD DISTANCE, 2022-2023 (10-PLUS) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Avg | TD | Yds |
| Tyreek Hill, Mia. | 34.9 | 20 | 698 |
| Jordan Addison, Min. | 29.6 | 10 | 296 |
| Jaylen Waddle, Mia. | 29.6 | 12 | 355 |
| Gabe Davis, Buff. | 28.6 | 14 | 400 |
| JaMarr Chase, Cin. | 27.2 | 16 | 435 |
| A.J. Brown, Phil. | 26.2 | 18 | 471 |
| Amari Cooper, Cle. | 24.6 | 14 | 345 |
| Davante Adams, L.V. | 24.5 | 22 | 538 |
| Mike Evans, T.B. | 24.2 | 19 | 460 |
| Cooper Kupp, LAR | 24.2 | 11 | 266 |
| DeAndre Hopkins, Ten. | 24.0 | 10 | 240 |
| Tee Higgins, Cin. | 23.3 | 12 | 279 |
| DJ Moore, Chi. | 23.1 | 15 | 346 |
| Tyler Lockett, Sea. | 22.1 | 14 | 309 |
| DeVonta Smith, Phil. | 21.9 | 14 | 306 |
| Christian Watson, G.B. | 21.0 | 12 | 252 |
| Stefon Diggs, Buff. | 20.8 | 19 | 396 |
| CeeDee Lamb, Dall. | 20.5 | 21 | 431 |
| Justin Jefferson, Min. | 20.2 | 13 | 263 |
| Nico Collins, Hou. | 19.4 | 10 | 194 |
| Brandon Aiyuk, S.F. | 18.7 | 15 | 280 |
| DK Metcalf, Sea. | 17.0 | 14 | 238 |
| Courtland Sutton, Den. | 16.9 | 12 | 203 |
| Christian Kirk, Jac. | 16.0 | 11 | 176 |
| Jakobi Meyers, L.V. | 15.9 | 14 | 223 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det. | 15.8 | 16 | 252 |
| Jahan Dotson, Was. | 15.0 | 11 | 165 |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 14.5 | 11 | 159 |
| Brandin Cooks, Dall. | 11.9 | 11 | 131 |
| Romeo Doubs, G.B. | 10.1 | 11 | 111 |
| Adam Thielen, Car. | 7.3 | 10 | 73 |
What's perhaps not as surprising is the fact that Dotson's best game as a pro came last year, against the Eagles. In a 38-31 shootout loss, Dotson caught 8 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. That had to have been in the back of Philly's mind when they made this trade.
But Dotson will be the No. 3 behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, probably not doing a whole lot if those players stay healthy. It's a new offense with Kellen Moore overseeing things, but Moore's Chargers offense didn't get a ton out of that spot last year (injuries were a factor, but Los Angeles' 2nd- and 3rd-best wideouts behind Keenan Allen each caught 38 passes last year). The Eagles may or will pass more than a year ago, but Dotson shouldn't do a whole lot it Brown and Smith are available.
As for Washington, Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus are in for an uptick in value. (That's assuming the speculation that Washington made this trade to clear room for a Brandon Aiyuk deal is unfounded.) Brown (who I picked up in dynasty just in case) was the team's best wideout the last exhibition game, catching 3 passes from Jayden Daniels on the opening drive. Would be nice to think he'll suddenly be viable, but let's see if Washington is done with moves.
As for Dotson, I was intrigued as a possible No. 2 with the Commanders. In Philly, I'll let someone else go after him. The draft pick given up makes it seem the Eagles see a viable player, but not something I'm going to invest in on draft day.
--Andy Richardson
