The Commanders selected Jahan Dotson in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the hope that he would develop into a quality receiving threat across from Terry McLaurin.
Washington is giving up on that dream after just two seasons.
The Commanders are trading Dotson to the Eagles, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday. The swap marks the second between the divisional rivals since April's NFL Draft, when Washington allowed Philadelphia to move up in the second round to select defensive back Cooper DeJean.
Dotson leaves Washington after an up-and-down start to his career. He recorded seven touchdowns on 35 catches as a rookie, which led many to believe he would break out in his second season. Instead, the 24-year-old stagnated in 2023, and he will now get a change of scenery as he looks to jumpstart his NFL career.
Here's a look at what the Eagles gave up to get Dotson from their divisional rival.
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Jahan Dotson trade details
Eagles get:
- WR Jahan Dotson
- 2025 fifth-round pick
Commanders get:
- 2025 third-round pick
- 2025 seventh-round pick
The Commanders acquired two draft picks from the Eagles in exchange for Dotson and a fifth-round pick. Washington's biggest prize is a Day 2 pick that figures to come toward the end of the third round.
Dotson will give Philadelphia something it has lacked in recent seasons while attempting to establish itself as a Super Bowl contender: a No. 3 receiver. The Eagles tried to fill that void earlier in the offseason by signing DeVante Parker, but he retired two months after agreeing to play for the Eagles.
Dotson will be behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith on the depth chart, but he could still emerge as a quality weapon thanks to his combination of speed, route-running ability and quality hands. His counterparts will draw plenty of attention, so Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore may draw up some plays for Dotson to play into his strengths.
Meanwhile, Washington seems poised to rely on Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus as the top counterparts for McLaurin. It will be interesting to see what impact that has on No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels as he looks to establish himself as a franchise quarterback.
Commanders WR depth chart
The Commanders now have an unsettled receiver depth chart behind McLaurin. Here's a look at how it might shake out after the Dotson trade.
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Terry McLaurin |
| 2 | Olamide Zaccheaus |
| 3 | Dyami Brown |
| 4 | Luke McCaffrey |
| 5 | Jamison Crowder |
| 6 | Mitchell Tinsley |
Also on the roster: Kazmeir Allen, Martavis Bryant, Davion Davis, Byron Pringle, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Brycen Tremayne.
At present, it seems like Zaccheaus or Brown will be Washington's No. 2 receiver to start the season. Both are seasoned veterans and have enjoyed solid offseasons. Dan Quinn notably mentioned Zaccheaus had a "good camp," so he might be the favorite to line up across from McLaurin.
Long-term, McCaffrey figures to be the No. 2 wideout. The third-round rookie might be eased into action, but he has looked good in preseason play, catching four passes for 55 yards through two preseason games.
Washington figures to keep six receivers on its roster, and Crowder and Tinsley seemingly hold the edge in the battle for the final two spots at present.
Could a veteran like Bryant or Pringle change the calculus there? Or what about the undrafted Rosemy-Jacksaint? Cut day will tell the Commanders faithful a lot about what the team thinks of its roster. It would be surprising to see the team move to add another receiver, whether it's via trade or on waivers after final roster cuts.
Jahan Dotson stats
Dotson has recorded 84 catches for 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns over his two seasons in Washington. Below is a breakdown of his year-by-year performance.
| Year | Targets | Catches | Yards | TDs | Yards/catch |
| 2022 | 61 | 35 | 523 | 7 | 14.9 |
| 2023 | 83 | 49 | 518 | 4 | 10.6 |
| Total | 144 | 84 | 1,041 | 11 | 12.4 |
The Eagles' No. 3 receiver in 2023 — Olamide Zaccheaus — recorded 164 yards and two touchdowns on 10 catches. By comparison, Dotson would be a major upgrade.
Add in that Dotson is just 24 years old and it's easy to understand why the Eagles were willing to surrender a third-round pick to acquire him.
Eagles WR depth chart
Below is a breakdown of where Dotson will fit in with Philadelphia's other receivers.
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | A.J. Brown |
| 2 | DeVonta Smith |
| 3 | Jahan Dotson |
| 4 | Parris Campbell |
| 5 | Britain Covey |
| 6 | Ainias Smith |
| 7 | Johnny Wilson |
Also on the roster: Jacob Harris, Griffin Hebert, Joseph Ngata, John Ross, Austin Watkins Jr.
The Eagles may not keep seven receivers on their final roster, but they would have to make a tough decision about which of the four to cut. Campbell gives the Eagles solid veteran depth while Covey is a very good returner.
Meanwhile, Smith and Wilson were chosen in the fifth and sixth rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft respectively. Philadelphia could try to stash one of them on the practice squad, but Smith's speed (4.47-second 40) and Wilson's size (6-6, 238 pounds) will make them intriguing fliers for teams in need of receiver depth.
