The massive roster turnover exiting the Ron Rivera era for the Washington Commanders will continue in earnest over the next two weeks.
Might that include former first-round pick Jahan Dotson losing a roster spot?
That seems hard to imagine so soon after the Commanders made the former Penn State wideout the 16th pick in 2022. But even Dotson’s recent comments say much about his status.
“DQ didn’t draft me,” Dotson said, according to Sam Fortier of the Washington Post. “Each and every year … in your profession, you got to prove yourself. You got to prove what you’re worth and what you’re capable of doing. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
That’s just the latest of what has been a pretty interesting vibe coming out of Commanders training camp lately, summed up well by Gregg Rosenthal:
the more Commanders coaches talk, the more I wonder if Jahan Dotson is on their Week 1 roster
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) August 16, 2024
The on-field stuff matches that vibe, too. In the team’s first preseason game, Dotson played a massive 32 snaps, which is strange for a former first-rounder and third-year player.
Rather than be the unquestioned No. 2 alongside Terry McLaurin in camp, Dotson has split reps with rookie Luke McCaffrey in the slot. Dyami Brown has been one of camp’s most-hyped players and has repped on the outside, while the veteran Olamide Zaccheaus has seemingly locked in a roster spot while getting some major run, too.
It’s no secret playing weight, strength and schematic fit were questions for Dotson, who, through two seasons, has caught 84 of 144 targets for 1,041 yards and 11 scores. Now, there’s serious pressure from other players on the depth chart while everything is up for grabs in a new system run by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Dotson might sink or swim, given the scenario. And while he might not be an outright cut, it’s worth wondering if the Commanders get and listen to trade calls near final cuts given the strength of the depth chart now.
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