Can Washington Commanders' Jahan Dotson Build on Season-Best Performance?

Washington Commanders receiver Jahan Dotson had the best game of his season in Week 8.

Now that the Washington Commanders have traded pass rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat, the team's only path back into the playoff picture this season will be through Eric Bieniemy's offense. And specifically, Washington needs a season-best performance from receiver Jahan Dotson in Week 8 to be a sign of things to come. 

Dotson had eight catches for 108 yards and a touchdown in a 38-31 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8. For the second-year receiver, it was the first strong outing in a season that previously didn't feature any other games with more than 43 receiving yards. 

After being selected out of Penn State with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Dotson posted 35 receptions for 523 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie season for the Commanders. It wasn't the type of campaign that earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration, but there was some thought that with Bieniemy taking over as offensive coordinator, Dotson could see a second-year jump for a Commanders team hoping to contend for the postseason. 

Washington Commanders receiver Jahan Dotson had a touchdown catch in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles.  / USA Today

But even after his 108 receiving yards in Week 8, Dotson has just 291 receiving yards to show for parts of eight games in his sophomore campaign with the Commanders. He does have 30 receptions, but is averaging just 9.7 yards per catch, as opposed to 14.9 in his rookie season. 

Washington quarterback Sam Howell has been sacked a staggering 41 times in 2023, and there's only so much that can be done to improve protection for him during the season. Clearly, major resources are going to have to be used this upcoming offseason to rebuild the offensive line in Washington, and getting back additional second and third-round picks in the trades of Sweat and Young should help them accomplish that. 

Still, Howell has had some impressive flashes in his first season as starting quarterback. Terry McLaurin has long been one of the sport's most underrated receivers, and has 42 catches for 495 yards this season. Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson are an intriguing tandem in the backfield. This is a team with talent, and even at 3-5, if Dotson uses Week 8 as a launching pad, the Commanders could get back in the Wild Card race.