Intra-divisional trades aren't that common for all the obvious reasons. But yesterday's Commanders-Eagles swap of Jahan Dotson might prove helpful to both teams -- Philly now and Washington (giving up a fifth rounder for a third and two sevenths) later.
Dotson was a member of an infamously mixed 2022 WR draft class in which Drake London, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave were the first three wideouts taken. The next seven off the board (all in the first/second rounds) were Jameson Williams, Dotson, Treylon Burks, Christian Watson, Wan'Dale Robinson, John Metchie, and Tyquan Thornton. Injuries have hampered the development of Williams, Burks, Watson, and Metchie. Thornton was one of countless disastrous Bill Belichick WR draft picks. Robinson and Dotson haven't enjoyed consistent quarterbacking.
The Commanders didn't even have to end up with Dotson. They were in line to pick 11th overall, which could have netted them Chris Olave. They traded with the Saints instead, leading to the additions of Dotson and Brian Robinson. While Robinson has turned out to be a solid get, a tandem of Olave and Terry McLaurin could've been incredible.
Dotson's fantasy situation was especially concerning this summer. After two seasons of hit=or-miss performances that included too many dropped passes and only one broken tackle (on an astonishingly high 84 catches), the Commanders had no more use for him.
Will a "change of scenery" (awful cliche, but technically accurate) jump-start Dotson's career? Or will he bring the same deficiencies to a team hoping for another deep postseason run? It's hard to imagine him having an impact unless A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith gets hurt, and even then, who knows. Curtis Samuel outplayed Dotson last year as the 2B receiver to Dotson's 2A. Now Dotson will serve (ideally) as the #3 alongside two premier WRs and (when healthy) a terrific tight end. Last year Sam Howell led the league in pass attempts. Jalen Hurts probably never will.
So Dotson's move diminishes his upside on at least two fronts: lesser role and presumably fewer team targets. It's possible he'll be another Kadarius Toney, flashing as a rookie, then slumping, then getting traded to a Super Bowl contender, and then slumping into near-oblivion.
Meanwhile, Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus get nice boosts. Although both are longshots to offer streaming value, the boom-bust Brown arguably has a higher ceiling. A typical "great" receiving line for him might be three catches for 79 yards and a score. In other words, his usefulness might come down to one big play.
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