Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell ‘Can Always Trust’ WR Jahan Dotson

Second-year Washington Commanders receiver Jahan Dotson has had some struggles this season but that hasn’t impacted how quarterback Sam Howell views him.

The Washington Commanders struck gold it appeared by trading back, netting extra draft picks, and landing Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson in the 2022 NFL Draft.

In his rookie season with the Commanders, Dotson wasted no time showing his playmaking ability with four touchdown receptions in his first four games including two in a 28-22 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.

A hamstring injury sidelined Washington’s newest star receiver and that derailed the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year caliber campaign he was on, but didn’t do anything to impact the potential he has as an NFL playmaker.

That led to high expectations this season, but through nine games the only mark Dotson has eclipsed from last year is the amount of drops he’s had.

Still, that isn’t fading any of the shine his quarterback sees in him, or the trust they’ve built.

“He works so hard,” Howell said of his fellow second-year teammate. “He’s got some of the best hands I’ve ever been around and he still works so hard. Obviously he’s dropped a couple balls that we’ve seen him catch, but he knows what he’s capable of. At the same time he works so hard and does the right things throughout the week to go out there on Sunday and catch the ball…and I know he’s a guy that I can always trust.”

Washington Commanders receiver Jahan Dotson (1) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium / Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

According to Pro Football Focus, Dotson had three drops his entire rookie year but has four in this, his second.

Slightly more than halfway through the season Dotson has three touchdown receptions compared to the seven he had all of last year.

Dotson’s targets and receptions are just about even with what he had last year, so those stats will certainly grow while he’s on pace to eclipse his rookie yardage total by around 200.

It hasn’t been the breakout season Dotson wanted for himself, but there’s still a lot of football to be played.

In Weeks 8 and 9 the receiver had his two best games of the season with 177 yards and two touchdowns on 12 receptions combined. Those numbers, if they can be maintained, project Dotson to break the 1,000-yard receiving mark.

And that’s a reality that seemed highly unlikely just a few weeks ago.

Dotson’s game hasn’t been perfect even as his production has grown, but if he settles into once again being the receiver his quarterback knows him to be, the best may be yet to come for him, Howell, and the Commanders offense.