Jahan Dotson

2022 - 4 - 28

Post cover — Image courtesy of "NBC Sports"

Commanders had Carson Wentz in mind with Jahan Dotson selection (NBC Sports)

The team was quiet in free agency, adding just two players, both on relatively cheap contracts. Since then, head coach Ron Rivera has gone on the record to say ...

"We got a good group of guys that will go after the football, are known for making contested catches and so you want guys with catch radius," Rivera said. But Rivera and Mayhew decided against it and zeroed in on Dotson as the selection. "When we did trade back and we were getting ready to make our pick, some of those same teams were still calling us," Mayhew said. Both Rivera and Mayhew believe Dotson has the ability to play both the X and Z receiver positions and in the slot. "Again, the thing that you see is the contested catches. That specifically is something that drew the Commanders to him. At 5-foot-11 and 178 lbs., Dotson is on the smaller size of NFL wide receivers. London's big frame allowed him to have one of the widest catch radiuses of any receiver in this class. "We have a guy that can make all the throws," Rivera said. So, we just feel that getting a guy that's a polished receiver right now and ready to go, will fit in very nicely with the rest of them." Upgrading the offense during the draft was a focus for the Commanders brass ever since acquiring Wentz. Rivera and his staff know that in order for the team's new quarterback to be successful, he needs more talent at the skill positions around him. Since then, head coach Ron Rivera has gone on the record to say the addition of Wentz -- and his $28 million cap hit in 2022 -- did in fact change the team's spring plans.

Did Commanders reach by taking Jahan Dotson at No. 16 overall? (Riggo's Rag)

The Commanders traded back to pick No. 16 and drafted Penn State wideout Jahan Dotson. Did Washington reach by taking Dotson that early?

This was clearly a receiver-or-bust approach from the Commanders and they managed to get one of their guys after trading back and acquiring more picks. Getting back to the Dotson pick, you could also question whether the Commanders should’ve taken Treylon Burks instead. The days leading up to the NFL Draft were full of surprises for Washington Commanders fans.

Jahan Dotson Ends a Long Penn State Drought at the NFL Draft (CalBearsMaven)

Penn State hasn't produced a lot of first-round NFL Draft picks at wide receiver in its history. Jahan Dotson just became the Lions' first in 19 years.

"When I get the ball in my hands, it's exciting," Dotson said at the NFL Scouting Combine. "I'm an explosive player. Dotson became Penn State's fourth first-round pick in Franklin's tenure as head coach. Rivera also compared Dotson to DeSean Jackson and Steve Smith as a receiver who is "a little bit smaller in stature but he plays bigger than that." And it really doesn't matter where: over the middle, on the perimeter, he just has got fantastic natural hands.” In addition, for the first time under head coach James Franklin, Penn State has produced first-round picks in consecutive drafts. Dotson joined Johnson, O.J. McDuffie (1993) and Kenny Jackson (1984). Jackson is Penn State's highest-drafted receiver, going to Philadelphia at No. 4 overall.

Instant analysis of Washington picking Jahan Dotson in 1st round (Redskins Wire)

The Washington Commanders tonight have selected Jahan Dotson No. 16 overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Additionally, it should be noted, that Penn State did not have great quarterback play, thus Dotson is talented and was productive, though they lacked a great passer. Though on paper it looks similar, I can’t imagine the results being similar to Davis struggling last year as their first-round pick. Against good competition, Dotson makes big plays as both a receiver and a returner.

What to Expect from Washington First-Round Pick Jahan Dotson (Sports Illustrated)

Selecting Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson with the 16th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, following a trade with the New Orleans Saints moving out of No ...

Washington Commanders wide receiver, Jahan Dotson A practice not unique to Washington alone, and certainly not new in Rivera's career. Part of this is because he simply didn't talk to Washington decision-makers all that much during the evaluation period.

What grades did Washington get for Jahan Dotson? (Hogs Haven)

There is a long tradition of people giving draft picks a grade less than 24 hours after they've been made. Some of them are spot on after the players have ...

He should be a nice complement to Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown, even if this is a bit before he was expected to come off the board. The Commanders had only one receiver (Terry McLaurin) with 400-plus yards last season and will benefit from adding a talented receiver like Dotson. Creating separation with his nuanced route-running and quickness, Dotson has outstanding hands and is elusive in the open field even though he won’t break a lot of tackles. The Commanders had more pressing needs than receivers, and I don’t understand why they felt pressured to reach on the position with that pick. The night started off well enough for Washington with a smart trade in which they received picks #16, #98, and #120 in exchange for #11. However, they proceeded to reach on a receiver in Jahan Dotson at #16 and I have a bad feeling they will convince themselves Terry McLaurin is expendable because of Dotson’s presence on the roster. Dotson has some great qualities as a three-level threat with suddenness in and out of his breaks. Dotson can line up all over the formation, but there are legit questions around the former Penn State star’s size (178 pounds), and he doesn’t bring the same field-stretching speed as Olave. I like Dotson, but this is a bit rich even with the trade-back. He doesn’t make a lot of people miss with the ball in his hands, and at 178 pounds, his play strength in the NFL is a question. Dotson (5-foot-11, 178) started 38 games for the Nittany Lions and was prolific last year with 91 catches for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns. With the run on receivers beginning with the Jets at No. 10, the Commanders ended up with Dotson to fill a need on the outside. The Commanders moved down five spots and missed out on Chris Olave and Jameson Williams. They went and got the next-best receiver left in Dotson, who is very good. Despite 30¾-inch arms, he can go up and pluck the ball out of the air. A player they were into, and likely had rated higher than most other players was Penn State WR Jahan Dotson who they took with the 16th overall pick.

Jahan Dotson Left 'Speechless' After NFL Dream Came True (Onward State)

Dotson is the first Nittany Lion wideout to hear his name called in the first round since Bryant Johnson in 2003. He'll join fellow Penn Staters Shaka Toney and ...

I was going to answer it, and I was ready for the call — whoever it was.” “He will be a tremendous addition to the Commanders organization. “I was willing to roll the dice, I didn’t care who it was,” Dotson said. Ultimately, there was a lot of uncertainty for Dotson, who’s just relieved to have been able to experience the moment surrounded by his family, friends, and “literally anyone you could think of.” I’m just happy I got to go tonight and share this moment with everyone who’s here.” “I was left speechless,” Dotson told reporters shortly after hearing his name called.