Washington Commanders' Jahan Dotson Stringing Performances Together
Though the quarterback change didn't make an impact on the outcome of the Washington Commanders' 37-20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the change from Taylor Heinicke to Carson Wentz also didn't impact wide receiver Jahan Dotson's recent fantasy success either. The rookie first-round selection found the end zone for his third game in a row with Heinicke at the helm and then continued to produce after Wentz took over.
Dotson's six receptions, 76 receiving yards, and that aforementioned score put him in line for another top-15 fantasy day after he eclipsed 50 yards in only one game prior to this recent stretch (Week 2, 4-59-1).
Jahan Dotson Prior to December
Dotson is not a stranger to the end zone, even if his heightened usage has only come about recently. Up until Week 4, Dotson had converted all four of his end zone targets into catches and was tied with Stefon Diggs atop the receiving TD leaderboard with those four touchdowns. The streaking receiver would be forced to halt following his three catches, 43 yards, and a touchdown performance in Dallas as a hamstring injury would bite him and force him to the sideline for five weeks directly in the middle of the season. Upon his return, he took a backseat in the offense, being targeted only four times between Weeks 10-13.
The lack of volume was a stark contrast to how he began his season —Dotson finished the first four games with 152 yards on 12 catches for four touchdowns. In those outings, the 22-year-old impressed with his precise route running and notable catch radius — traits that helped him stand out in a noteworthy class of rookie wideouts. The 16th overall pick was targeted 22 times in that stretch.
By the time Dotson returned from the injury; however, Washington’s offense had changed.
“He’s still important and very integral into what we’re doing,” Commanders coach Ron Rivera said of Dotson. “He’s developing, and he’s growing. We all know he’s got the potential to be a very, very good player for us. It’s just a matter of time before you see him start getting some more opportunities.”
That prediction obviously came to fruition as the former Penn State All-Big Ten standout now ranks as the overall WR7 in his three most recent games, narrowly edging out teammate Terry McLaurin, who is the WR9 over that span.
Outlook for Final Two Weeks of 2022
Jahan Dotson was selected by the Wahington Commanders with the 16th pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to add a spark to their WR corps opposite Terry McLaurin and the Penn State product is showing that he is cut out for the job. The Washington Commanders will wind down the season with an outside shot to make the playoffs, hosting the Browns in Week 17 and the Cowboys in Week 18. The Jahan Dotson stats should continue to accumulate, as the Browns rank a middling 13th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers, and the Cowboys rank all the way down at 23rd.
The team didn't rush the rookie back out on to the field, and it's paying fantasy dividends here in the most crucial weeks. Dotson finished Week 4 against the Cowboys with 43 yards and a touchdown before succumbing to his hamstring injury, and he'll have a chance to close out the year by building on that success.
