Jahan Dotson trade: Eagles' updated depth chart explored after buy-low move
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson was selected by the Washington Commanders in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and two years later, he's now a Philadelphia Eagle.
In a rare in-division trade on Thursday, the Commanders sent Dotson to their rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, in a surprising trade. The Commanders sent Dotson as well as a fifth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and two seventh-round picks.
Dotson, a first-round pick out of Penn State, had two decent seasons, showing some potential but not playing like a top receiver in those two years.
As a rookie, he caught 35 receptions for 523 yards and had seven receiving touchdowns in 12 games played. In five more games played in his second season, Dotson had 49 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns. He took a step down in production this past season.
Why did the Commanders trade Jahan Dotson?
It's rare to see a skilled position player who's a former first-rounder get traded after two seasons. It's even rarer to see a player like that get traded inside their own division.
According to NFL insider Albert Breer, Dotson was set to have less of a role in new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's offense. The team had gotten calls for Dotson, and after some time, they thought the return product was worth it to deal with Dotson.
"The Commanders got calls on Dotson over the last couple weeks as it became clear his role in Kliff Kingsbury's offense was in flux. Eventually it got to a point where the return made it worthwhile for the team," Breer wrote on X.
Eagles' depth chart after Jahan Dotson trade
Even before acquiring Jahan Dotson, the Philadelphia Eagles had one of the best wide receiver corps in the NFL.
Serving as wide receiver for the Eagles is A.J. Brown, who signed a three-year $96 million contract extension this off-season. On the opposite side of him is DeVonta Smith, who also received an extension from the team this off-season.
The Eagles currently have rookie sixth-round pick Johnny Wilson as the team's wide receiver. Other backup wide receivers include Parris Campbell, Ainias Smith, Joseph Ngata, Austin Wakings Jr., Jacob Harris, Britain Covey and Griffin Hebert.
Dotson will likely serve as the team's wide receiver over Wilson, as he has more experience and has been a reliable option at wide receiver.